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BUILDING TO WIN 


OR 

Fortunes AND Misfortunes 


A STORY OF LIFE TO-DAY 


BY 


ALEXANDER STREETER ARNOLD, 

Author of “Henry Lovell, a Temperance Story,” Etc* 


“ Buy the Truth and sell it not.” Prov. xxiii : 23. 


BOSTON 



JAMES H. EARLE 
178 Washington Street 
1894 


i 




Copyright, 1893. 

James H. Earle, 
AU rights reserved* 


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fils rqan^ friends this stor^ is 

affeotioqatel^ dedicated hy tlf[e autfidr^ 
^le^ander ^treeter jffrnold, 
Talley ^alls, 1^. iSQS. 


Preface To Building To Win. 

Although the reader will doubtless understand that 
"Great Forest” is a fictitious name, the place has an 
actual location some sixty miles north-east of New 
York City. The Author vividly remembers the ap- 
pearance of that portion of the "Den,” as it was called, 
through which he passed years ago. 

Jack’s plan for the cure of insanity is too exten- 
sively endorsed by well authenticated facts to require 
the least additional proof of its remedial virtues. 
Those familiar with Don Quixote will readily recall 
the account of the knight’s restoration to sanity. 

The lessons, that unhappiness came to Jack Green 
as the inevitable result of falsehood, that lying was 
the main cause of his misfortunes, that a long, severe 
struggle was absolutely necessary for his reformation, 
that goodness alone brought him peace, areas plainly 
set forth as the fact that, notwithstanding his true 
nobility, Mr. Woodbury exhibited weakness in trial. 
Those who use the words unhappiness and misfort- 
une as interchangeable terms, can learn a lesson by 
Jack’s exceedingly fortunate experience in being 
made unhappy through his besetting sin. 

Alexander Streeter Arnold, 

Valley falls, E. I., 1893. 



CONTENTS, 


CHAPTER, PAGE, 

l, Characters of the story, A family jar, , ,11 

n. In which Jack Green comes home from sea, 19 

m. Mr. Woodbury in trouble 33 

IV, Maud resolves to become a good wife, , 39 

V, Mr. Woodbury, Maud and Jack. ... 44 

VI, lattle Ella Bright 51 

Vn. Jack and Ella 60 

Vin. Maud perseveres 73 

IX. Singular advertisement for a pastor. . . 81 

X. Jack commences one of his adventures. . 86 

XI. Jack’s adventures continued 94 

XII. Arden learns where the murderer is secreted 101 

XIII. First appearance of Jack’s ghost. . . 109 

XIV. Mr Woodbury in a lit of insanity leaves 

Ardenville 118 

XV. The pastor’s adventures continued. • . 135 


XVI. Return of the prodigal husband. . . 

XVn. Search for the murderer of Jack. Mr. 

Bright sees something like a ghost. . 
XVin. Mr. Woodbury and his wife. . . . 

XIX. Maud reveals her terrible secret to 

Arden 

XX. Mr. Woodbury again flees from home. 

XXI. Mr. Woodbury goes to reside with 

Jack in Great Forest 

XXn. Mr. W oodbury and Jack in Great Forest 

XXni. Maud, Arden and Julia 

XXIV. The best of friends sometimes quarrel. 

XXV. Mr. Woodbury and Jack still in 

Great Forest 

XXVI. Jack’s return 

XXVn. Jack and the penitent wife. . . . 

XXVin. Jack and Mr. Woodbury 

XXIX. Second return of the prodigal husband 

XXX. Jack tells Ella a stoiy 

XXXI. After the return 

XXXII. Festivities. 

XXXIII. In trouble 

XXXIV. Maud to the rescue. ..... 

XXXV. Unsuccessful 

XXXVI. Jackson’s adventure with the robber. 


139 

145 

153 

162 

168 

174 

;180 

190 

194 

200 

209 

216 

221 

227 

231 

235 

240 

246 

255 

268 

278 


XXXVn. Jackson’s story. .0.0.. 289 

XXXVIII. Jackson’s adventure at school. . . 305 

XXXIX. Surprises 317 

XL. Under suspicion 327 

XLI. The trial 337 

XLII. The new role 351 

XLIII. A new arrival. . . . . . . 363 

XLIV. Martin Hayward. . . . . . .370 

XLV. Advancing . 384 

XLVI. Conclusion 393 




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BuiMiPia 5]i@ Win 


OR 



A S our story commences abruptly, it seems some- 
what necessary, at this point, that some expla- 
nation should be given of a portion of the characters 
represented. 

* * * 

George Woodbury, a young preacher, pastor of 
the Ardenville church, just before the opening of our 
story, had married a fashionable lady, Maud Arden, 
sister of Charles Arden. 

Jack Green, a sailor boy, the Hero of this story, 
especial friend and admirer of little Ella Bright. 
Jack’s heart is always kind; his tongue is unbridled. 
His peculiar stories, ‘‘great candor” and “innocent 
excuses,” whenever in a tight place, as well as his 
adventures, it is hoped, will interest, amuse and in- 
struct. 

Mr. Lazelle, noted for his misquotations. 


12 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


Charles Arden^ superintendent of the Sunday 
School, but still youthful and generally addressed as 
Arden : had just married Julia Benson, daughter of 
Squire Benson who was the most beloved man in 
Ardenville. 

Mrs. Linton, a heartless woman of some wealth. 

And now, without apology or excuse, we enter upon 
our story to portray the facts, that, while dollar-pros- 
perity and animal pleasure may come through luck and 
sin, true success and peace are won by building upon 
character, a way open to all with victory assured. 

♦ ♦ • ♦ 

‘‘ I must consult with Maud about a new sphere of 
usefulness at Mill Village,” said Mr. Woodbury to 
himself, as he entered his wife’s beautiful mansion; 
“and, as she can leave the house at any moment to her 
house-keeper, she will be rejoiced to assist us. It is 
a great blessing to have such a wife. Her riches will 
enlarge her opportunities of doing good. Although 
she has never been popular, all my people shall love 
her. Here she comes to meet me as usual. That 
kiss, my loVely wife, was for your beauty, that for 
your goodness, and this because I love you better 
than life. What, Maud ! three months married and 
blushing as though I were your lover?” 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


13 


<‘As though you were my lover?” repeated Maud, 
reproachfully. ‘‘Why, George, have you ceased to 
be my lover since marriage ? I did not believe it 
possible for you to make such a wicked speech. O, 
George, George, please don’t look so sober, neither 
be so sensitive ; for you know I’m joking. There, that 
kiss was to make you smile again, that because, from 
the day we met, you have been my king among men, 
and this, my very best one, is because you never de- 
ny me anything and never will. Although you mar- 
ried an only daughter, always indulged and treated 
like a doll baby, never forget that, however foolish 
and selfish she may appear, she loves you as she loves 
her own eyes.” 

“Eest assured that I shall neither forget your love 
nor cease to be your lover,” exclaimed Mr. Woodbu- 
ry, enthusiastically, as he rested one hand uj^on the 
shoulder of his wife and glanced at her with no small 
degree of pride. 

Some minutes elapsed while Maud was replying to 
the husband’s fond words and giving an acconnt of 
her call upon Mrs. Linton. But Mr. Woodbury was 
not interested : he was annoyed ; and stopping in the 
midst of a nervous walk, he broke into the middle of 
a sentence 


14 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES, 


‘‘Maud, I have just learned that Jack Green, the 
sailor boy, will give up the sea and commence work 
for your brother Charles. And will not ’Squire Ben- 
son be delighted?” 

“Why, George, what do you suppose I care about 
that lying Jack Green? As I was telling you, Mrs, 
Linton has given me a glowing account of her visit to 
Washington and the noted ladies of fashion. How I 
should enjoy a trip to our capital I There is no lack 
of money ; and you will go to please your wife.” 

“Certainly I will.” replied Mr. Woodbury. “But 
to return to Jack Green, he is no common liar.’^ 

“Decidedly not, George, but the chamiDion Cre- 
tan. What ! my husband, of whom I am so proud, 
ignorant of my meaning? Does not St. Paul allude 
to the race as all liars by reputation ?” 

“Certainly, Maud. How dull I am ! But with the 
kindest of hearts, our Cretan’s stories are fairy tales. 
Such an able young man could be made useful at Mill 
Village. We are to organize a mission there.” 

“And I say that you shall not. Mrs. Linton — ” 

“Whew !” exclaimed Mr. Woodbuury, “good little 
wives, like you, must never say, shall not.” 

“Must not !” replied Maud, hotly. “ I shall say it 
whenever I like for all any one.” 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


15 


The wife felt ashamed of her exhibition of temper 
and added, coaxingly, ^‘There, George, please don’t 
be too sensitive : I was awful wicked, but you know 
I never meant that ; for I love you too well. I am a 
spoiled child ; but only bear with me for awhile, and 
I shall become such a model wife, and you will be so 
proud of me ! But, George, you do need change 
and rest very much. Why, just think : three years 
of incessant labor without a vacation ! Yes ; you are 
surely working far beyond your strength. And that 
is what makes you so morbidly sensitive, while your 
former healthy color is giving place to a sickly hue 
which is unnatural for you. You must abandon the 
pulpit. I will not suffer you to work yourself into 
premature old age when we have no need whatever 
of the salary.” 

‘‘Are you really in earnest?” 

“ In earnest ! Of course I am. Do you suppose I 
married with the idea of remaining the wife of a min- 
ister? Not by any means. I have wealth enough for 
us both, and why should we not enjoy it? And, George, 
you are so well fitted to shine in society, that I can 
never give up the idea of mingling in it with such a 
husband.” 

“ Believe me, dear wife, that I am sorry to disap- 


16 


FORTUKES AND MISFORTUNES. 


point you ; but I can never be other than a preacher, 
although unworthy of the position.’’ 

Scarcely knowing what she did, Maud rose from 
her seat and stepped to the door; yet, thinking her 
husband might imagine that she was in a pet instead 
of at a loss for a reply, she lingered hesitatingly^ hop- 
ing and expecting that he would ask her to remain 
or gently detain her, just as her fond father and es- 
pecially her mother had often done and for which she 
had loved them all the more. But Mr. Woodbury 
seemed unaware of her existence, and Maud left the 
room without a word. 

The once petted heiress, now the woman of wealth, 
was vexed. “Very well,” said she to herself; “if 
he does not wish me to stay, why, of course, I can 
go. If he does not care sufficiently for my company 
to ask me to remain, there is certainly no reason in 
the world why I should not leave.” A few moments 
sped. “I will return and tell him I am thinking of 
making a call. And surely he will either ask me to 
tarry a moment or make some other small advance 
towards making up. Oh, I am sick of all miffs, and 
this shall be my last pet. Asking him to relinquish 
the pulpit ! What nonsense ! 

^‘George, I am thinking of calling on Mrs. Linton.” 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


17 


Mr. Woodbury would teach the spoiled child that 
wives as well as husbands ought to be forbearing. A 
little firmness now would accomplish much. Mild 
yet firm. ‘‘Knowing my estimation of her why are 
you so intimate with that apology for a woman 

The husband’s voice was firmer than he intended. 
The wife forgot the object of her question. “I am 
imitating you by doing as I please.” 

“Why, Maud !” 

“You needn’t WHY Maud me; for I mean just what 
I say and shall stick to it. After I’ve made you the 
richest man in Ardenville, except my brother Charles, 
you cannot dome a favor that amounts to anything.” 

Without attempting another word, Mr. Woodbury 
walked into his library and took up a book. A mo- 
ment after, the book was exchanged for another, and 
then again for another, which was almost instantly re- 
turned to the shelf. He then took out an unfinished 
sermon ; but, after holding his pen for some five min- 
utes without writing a word, he laid it aside, and, a 
moment after, his head sunk gradually to the desk be- 
fore him. 

Soon after, his wife looked in as she was passing his 
room, and said to herself, “Asleep 1 Well, I suppose 
that is all he cares for my happiness.” 


18 FOKTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 

But Mr. Woodbury was never more wakeful. 

Maud was- soon arrayed for her proposed call on 
the fashionable Mrs. Linton. She drew on her gloves 
and turned for a last survey before the mirror. A 
whole minute passed ; yet she still gazed at the re- 
flection in the glass. That was the same black, shin- 
ing hair which George had smoothed and praised on 
the night of their betrothal. Those were the eyes, so 
full of love, which looked up, so encouragingly, into 
the face of her handsome but penniless lover while 
he bent over the back of her chair with admiring: but 
half fearful glances until she laid her delicate fingers 
upon the hand which rested lightly upon her should- 
er. Those were the lijos he kissed, for the first time, 
a moment after and from which issued the yes she so 
gladly gave him a few minutes later. 

The wife tore one glove in her haste to get them 
ofi*. She tossed her hat into one chair and sent her 
wraps flying towards another as she started for her 
husband’s study. But the door, never before closed 
against her, was locked. There were tears of vexa- 
tion in her eyes as she darted away on tiptoe and 
ran up stairs. 


CHAPTER n. 


m WHTCH JACK GREEN COMES HOME FROM SEA. 

That their under shepherd was rapidly becoming 
feeble was patent to the members of Mr. Woodbu- 
ry’s flock. Yet, as the failing shepherd did not com- 
plain, the well-fed sheep grazed in green pastures, 
wandered delightedly within the serene confines of 
verdant lawns, beside the still waters, and enjoyed 
the restoration of soul, resulting from the unselfish 
leadership and loving devotion of one who was not 
a mere hireling. 

The young wife’s proposed visit to Washington 
would have amply met the needs of the pastor ; for 
it would have afibrded requisite rest and brought a- 
bout a speedy and complete reconciliation between 
an over-sensitive husband and a loving but impulsive 
and occasionally thoughtless wife. But left to his 
own morbid fancies, the pastor worked harder, stud- 
ied more and slept less, thereby crippling his brain 
power and breaking down his health. 

19 


20 rOETTINES AJSTD MISFOETUKES. 

> 

Indulged from childhood, Maud felt insulted at be- 
ing denied access to her husband's study, and made 
no further efforts towards reconciliation. 

About this time Jact Green came home from a short 
sea voyage. He was a bright, active boy, some four- 
teen or fifteen years of age, and possessed of more than 
ordinary natural ability; but either through an inherent 
inclination to falsehood, or from a sad neglect of his mor- 
al education, even before leaving Ardenville on his last 
voyage, he had acquired the reputation of being, not 
simply the best story teller, but the most notorious liar in 
the whole village ; and yet no person could say that he ev- 
er wantonly injured any one by his lies or his conduct. 
It was remarked by some of his friends that his habit 
of lying grew out of his fondness for telling stories, of 
which he seemed always full even to overflowing. 
Upon his arrival home he was engaged by Arden, to 
take care of the garden, and make himself generally use- 
ful, on the premises, and, as his time would not be 
wholly occupied, he was to assist Mr. Woodbury also. 

A few mornings after Jack commenced work, Ar- 
den went to the barn to look at his horse, and found him 
missing; but hearing a noise outside, he looked out of 
the back door, and discovered Jack mounted upon Fash- 
ion, who was rearing upon his hind legs at a fearful 
rate. » 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


21 


“Halloo I” shouted Arden; “what are you about?” 

“ Oh!” exclaimed Jack, with a look of great innocence, 
“ I was going to ride the horse to water ; but the fact 
is, I jerked the reins rather sudden, to make him start 
kind o’ quick like, and he rared right up.” 

“What made him rear twice, Jack?” 

“ Why, you see, I guess he thought I was going to 
jerk the reins again.” 

Arden turned away his head to hide a smile, and a 
moment after told Jack to be careful of the horse. 

“What a liar that Jack is,” said Arden to his wife, 
as he returned to the house. 

“I am very sorry for him,” replied Julia. “He has 
not had the best of instruction, perhaps, and we must 
make allowances for him.” 

“Always ready to excuse everybody,” said Arden, 
smiling, “ and always right too.” 

“Not quite yet. It is a serious query in my mind, 
what can we do for his morals?” 

“There you are again, always practical. You are 
all right now, any way.” 

“ Not yet, Charles. Faith without works is dead, or, 
at least, imperfect. Faith is made perfect by works.” 

“Or in other words,” broke in Arden, “when we 
have performed our duty to Jack, we are all right.” 


22 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


The next day, as Jack was removing some rubbish 
from the cellar, he spied a row of pies upon the swing 
shelf, and, upon closer inspection, discovered that a part 
were composed of custard. Now of all eatables, cus- 
tard pies were Jack’s especial favorites, and, as he gaz- 
ed on their fair proportions, such an immense quantity 
of moisture straightway accumulated in his mouth, 
that, as he afterwards observed, “flesh and blood were 
composed of too frail material to resist the tempta- 
tion,” and he resolved to appropriate one for his own 
private benefit. But, in attempting to perform the oper- 
ation, the plate slipped from his hand, and, as it struck 
the cellar bottom, broke into a thousand fragments, 
while the pie lay in a confused mass at his feet. 

“Scat! scat I get out! ” shouted Jack, as though try- 
ing to drive off some quadruped of the feline species. 

“What is the matter?” asked Julia appearing at 
the scene of the disaster. “What has happened?” 

“ The fact is, Mrs. Arden,’ replied Jack, with great 
frankness, “ I suppose that I am rather to blame. You 
see I caught the cat upon the shelf, and thinking she 
might do some damage, I just motioned so, (here Jack 
waved his hat,) and the first thing I knew she upset 
the pie.” 

“ How happens it that the legs of your pants are so 
bespattered with custard?” 


FOETUNES AND MISFOETUNES. 


23 


“Well, if that aint provoking!” exclaimed Jack. 
“I wonder if I was so foolish as to step right into that 
pie when I drove the cat off ! ” 

“Never mind,” said Julia, who saw through the 
whole affair, “Keep truth on your side, and I shall 
not scold at the loss of a thousand pies. And by the 
way. Jack, whenever you want any pies, or anything 
else to eat, just tell the cook, and she will supply you, 
or, if she refuses, go and help yourself.” 

“What a fool I am,” said Jack to himself, as he 
started for the barn. “ She knows, just as well as she 
wants to, that I was trying to steal that pie, and I 
knew she did all the time. And yesterday, Mr. Arden 
knew I was lying about that horse. It seems different 
lying to them ; for they are so good about everything. 
I suppose I’ve been licked about a thousand times for 
lying, and yet I'm worse than ever. Fact is, I guess 
lying aint generally flogged out of a feller. ’Taint a 
certain cure, any way. I ought to do better, and I wont 
lie to Mr. and Mrs. Arden any more ; at least I’ll try 
not to , any way. They don’t call me a rascal or a 
bad boy. Why, they talk and act just as though I 
was as good as they are ; and somehow, when I lie to 
them, it kinder makes me feel bad like ; but when I 
used to pull the wool over the eyes of somo of them old 


24 


FOETUNES AHD MISFOETUNES. 


floggers, it just suited my complexion. But I never 
gained anything by lying in all my life. It’s always a 
losing game. Well, I shant lie to Mr. and Mrs. Arden 
again, any way, during my natural born days. T sup- 
pose they think I can’t help lying. But wont I 
surprise ’em though?” 

At this moment, Arden came out, and, thinking he 
would work a little in the garden, he proceeded to 
change his boots. 

‘‘ I wonder, Jack, how the pull-straps came off my 
boots?” 

“ Straps ofE your boots,” repeated Jack, as though 
trying to think of something. Oh yes, I remember 
now. I was just setting them out of the way, when, as 
I took them up, off came the straps. I guess them 
want sewed on very strong to drop off so easy.” 

“Well, Jack, no great harm done. Always tell the 
truth, and whatever accidents happen, I shall never 
find fault with you.” 

‘ “ Have I sunk so low, that I have become a walking 
falsehood? Can’t I never stop lying?” exclaimed 
Jack, unconsciously speaking aloud in his earnestness, 
as he passed out of the gate. 

“ I think you can, my son,” replied a voice close be- 
side him; and looking up. Jack beheld ’Squire Benson, 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


25 


the most beloved man in all Arden ville, smiling, very 
pleasantly upon him. ‘‘ Yes,” repeated ’Squire Ben- 
son, “I think you can; in fact I know you can. Jack. 
If you really mean to stop the Lord will help you.” 

Jack looked up at the smiling, benevolent looking 
countenance before him, and he knew too well the 
kindness of the good man’s heart to hesitate one mo- 
ment, and he said at once, The fact is, I lie, when I 
try ever so hard not to. I seem to be possessed.” 

“Possessed of a kind heart, at any rate!’’ exclaimed 
’Squire Benson, “ Well, well, my good boy, what you 
want is to think before you speak.” 

“ I can’t think,” said Jack. “ The words pop right 
out of my mouth, just like corn from an open corn 
popper. I’m just like a ship without sail or helm. I 
am blown all round the compass by any wind that 
chances to blow.” 

“ The fact is, my son, you must wait every time be- 
fore you speak.” 

“ I can’t wait.” 

“ Try once, and see. Now I’m going to ask you a 
question, and I want you to count ten, and then an- 
swer. Is Mr. Arden at home ?” 

Jack’s lips moved until he finished counting, and then 
said, “Yes. Why ! I did, didn’t I?” 


26 


FOETUKES AND MISFOKTUNES. 


“ Of course you did,” replied ’Squire Benson, smil- 
ing. ‘‘I knew you could. Never say, I can’t, and, my 
good boy, you’ll make a noble man. I am very much 
pleased to find that my son-in-law, Mr. Arden, has se- 
cured your services. Try the power of prayer. Jack; 
for be fully assured that Jesus alone can ever save one 
from sin.” 

Jack was more in love with ’Squire Benson than 
ever, and had more confidence than ever before, that 
his endeavors to cure himself of the terrible vice of 
falsehood would be crowned with success. There is no 
substitute for faith ; there is nothing else, through the 
Lord Jesus, that can enable us to overcome difficulties, 
more especially those obstacles that are engendered by 
sin. We do not refer to that faith which trusts that, 
through the atoning blood of our Saviour, one can be 
saved in sin, only caring to be delivered from punish- 
ment ; but we have special reference to that faith which 
makes its possessor faithful; we allude to that Christian 
faith, embodying the deep, indwelling desire for purity 
coupled with the strong hope of the accomplishment 
of the heart-longing for righteousness. Such faith is 
ever as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, 
reaching to that within the veil. Jack, it will be no- 
ticed, strongly desired salvation from the sin of false- 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


27 


hood; and, as he afterwards expressed it, ‘‘fully re- 
solved to quit lying, or perish in the attempt.” He 
made no professions to Christianity; nevertheless, he 
tested the power of prayer. We shall learn how well 
he succeeded. 

As Jack was passing into Mr. Woodbury’s yard, an 
hour or two after, he saw Mrs. Bright and little Ella 
step up to the front door. 

“ Halloo ! my little Rose Bud,” exclaimed Jack. 

How’s that kitten ? ” 

“ Oh, mother, that’s Jack,” cried Ella, “ Don’t you 
know, he gave me my kitten.” 

“ Yes, my little darling. Jack is a good boy.” 

“ I want to go with him, and see the other kittens 
too.” 

“I’m afraid our friend Jack doesn’t want to be 
troubled with little girls to-day.” 

“ They don’t bother me at all,” exclaimed Jack. 
“ Fact is, I kinder like children, specially little girls 
about her age. J’hey are so good and innocent like. 
It kinder rests me sometimes to hear ’em talk.” 

A few moments after Jack and Ella went to the 
barn, where they played with the kittens, and exam- 
ined and talked about everything they saw. 

“"What is that?” asked Ella, as Jack took down a 
small model of a vessel. 


28 


FOETUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


“ That’s a ship.” 

“ Mother said you lived in a ship once. I guess that 
want the one, was it ? ” 

“Yes,” replied Jack, promptly; “but I was very 
small then.” 

“ You’ve growed dreffully, aint you ? ” 

“ Yes, I’ve growed pretty fast lately. You see 
mother kept me in a teapot for a long time ; but one 
day she forgot where I was, and took up the teapot to 
use, and the first thing I knew, she nearly covered me 
up with a spoonful of tea, which got in my hair and 
eyes, and I looked so bad that mother was almost 
ashamed of me ; cause why you see we had company 
that day. But I had a narrow escape once. You see 
mother didn’t dare to keep me in the teapot any longer, 
so she put me in a glass tumbler. I liked the tumbler, 
cause I could look right through and see what was 
going on. But one day, when I had laid down in the 
bottom of the tumbler, and kinder dropped to sleep, 
father took it up to get some water in, and nearly 
drowned me ; and I was sick abed for almost a week. 
But here comes them kittens after us.” 

“ Did you have any kittens in the ship ? ” 

“Yes,” replied Jack;” but not in this one. You 
see after I got growed up pretty large, I went in a 
great, big ship.” 


FOETUNES AND mSFOETUNES. 


29 


‘‘As large as a house?” asked Ella. 

“ Oh yes,” replied Jack; “ a great deal larger. Why 
we had — let me see — yes, we had three barns to keep 
our horses and cows in, and then we built a small 
church at one end, so that we could all go to meeting 
on Sunday.” 

“ Did you have a Sabbath School in the vestry ? ” 

“ Yes,” replied Jack ; “ but it was quite small. You 
see we didn’t have many children on board.” 

“ Did you have 'any little girls ? ” 

“ Only about half a dozen. They were in the infant 
class. That was the reason we carried the kittens with 
us; so that the little girls could have them to play 
with. But they were pretty troublesome at one time.' 

“ What did you do with ’em?” 

Oh, we just took ’em in hand, and learned ’em a 
thing or two. You see the kittens growed up, and then 
we began to have forty or fifty litters of kittens at once. 
They got so thick we couldn’t hardly step without 
treading on their tails, and then what a snarl they 
would set up! Well, the captain got tired of it, and 
threatened to drown and kill ’em all.” 

“ Oh dear I that was drefful,” cried Ella. 

“Yes,” said Jack; “he was an unconverted man, 
and his heart was about as hard as an anvil. But, you 


30 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


see, I was determied to do the right thing ; so I told 
the captain that I would see to the cats. Well, I just 
learned all them cats and kittens, so that I used to pack 
’em up just as we pack up wood, and they would lay as 
still as mice till I unpacked ’em ; which I had to do 
every time they were fed. The under ones got squeezed 
pretty considerable sometimes ; but they stood it like 
bull-dogs, except some real hot days. Then they would 
run out their tongues and kinder pant, and I would 
steal a big lump of ice, break it into small pieces, and 
just sprinkle it all over the cats. It made ’em just as 
cool as cucumbers, in no time.” 

“ But, Jack, want it wicked to steal?” 

^^There, bless your little heart ! I didn’t mean that I 
really stole. We used to call it stealing when we took 
ice ; but then ’twant; cause you see I always asked the 
captain. I would say, ‘ Captain, may I steal a piece of 
ice?’ ‘What for?’ he’d say. ‘For the cats,’ I’d an- 
swer. ‘ Well, steal away. Jack,’ the captain A\ould al- 
ways say. ’Twant stealing, you see ; only we called 
it so.” 

“ I’m glad you didn’t steal it,” said Ella, quite re- 
lieved. 

^.^Oh! bless you!” exclaimed Jack; “no fear of 
that I I was very honest at that time, and wouldn’t 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


31 


have stolen for the world, Well, them cats we sold to 
the emperor of China for a million of dollars, and it 
was all owing to our being good to the poor things.” 

“ How much is a million of dollars, Jack ? ” 

“ More than a yoke of oxen could draw. The cap- 
tain set me to counting it; ’cause, ye see, he knew I 
was honest and always told the truth. It was all in 
dollar pieces. I found the money all right except a 
five cent piece which the emperor had accidentally 
dropped in when he was counting it out for us, and I 
went almost a hundred miles to return that five cent 
piece to the emperor; cause it would have been wicked 
to keep it.” 

At this moment Jack happened to cast his eyes in 
the direction of the door, where he saw Mr. Woodbury, 
just outside, evidently listening to his narrative. 

“Well ! if I aint caught this time,” thought Jack. 
“ I guess this means, you can't work for me any longer.” 

The pastor noticed the expression of Jack's face, and 
remarked to Ella, “ I rather think you like Jack pretty 
well, don’t you?” 

‘‘ Oh yes ! I like him ever so much.” 

“ Well, he's a good-hearted boy, and is very fond of 
little girls, I’m told. He tells some very pretty stories, 
only I think I would not put in much about religion if 


32 


FOKTUNES AND mSFORTUNES. 


I were you, Jack. I understand all about fairy stories ; 
but some very young people might receive a different 
impression from what you intend.” 

‘‘The fact is,” replied Jack, “them kind of things 
slip out mighty easy.” 

“ I know it Jack ; but you must hold on with both 
hands, and the Lord will help you.” 

“Well!” exclaimed Jack, after Mr. Woodbury 
had left with Ella. “ He’s a trump, he is. I’m going 
to meeting next Sunday to hear him preach.” 

And he did. 

Notwithstanding the plain, undeniable fact herein 
recorded, that each and every misfortune and the un- 
happiness of Jack were but the result of his habit of 
lying, it is also true that a very thoughtless reader is 
prone to imagine falsehood a small sin because God 
overruled it for good, as he overruled the iniquity of 
Joseph’s brethren and the wickedness of the crucifix- 
ion for untold good. The reader is again reminded 
of the fact that unhappiness is not always a misfort- 
une, but often a blessing in disguise, of which truth 
Jack’s experience furnishes ample proof. 


CHAPTER III. 


MR. WOODBURY IN TROUBLE. 

I T was noticed by many members of bis flock, that 
Mr. Woodbury’s health had become decidedly im- 
paired, and their pastor appeared to be growing more 
and more seriously ill from day to day. 

‘‘ What makes you look so sober, Jack?” asked Arden 
as he saw the former coming from Mr. Woodbury’s bam. 

‘‘Well,” replied Jack, with a mournful shake of the 
head, “it’s too bad. Such a fine man!” 

“ Why, what’s the matter. Jack ? ” 

“You see that Mr. Woodbury kinder fainted like, 
just now, out in his barn.” 

“ What did you do with him ?” asked Arden in alarm. 
“Oh, I just bathed his head, and led him to the house; 
and he spoke and looked so kinder grateful, that I didn’t 
know what to say. He’s troubled about something, he 
is.” And Jack winked very hard to keep back one or 
two tears that seemed determined to get the better of 
his manhood. 

“ What can it be. Jack? ” 

33 


34 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


“Well, I don’t know for certain ; but I’ve guessed a 
thousand times, and I’ve guessed the same thing every 
time.” 

“And what have you guessed ?” 

“ Fact is, Mr. Arden, ’taint for me to say.” 

“You don’t think Mr. Woodbury has been doing 
anything wrong, do you ? ” 

“Well, he has, and he- hasn’t.” 

“ What do you mean by that ? ” 

“ Why, you see, he once did something that has 
about ruined him ; though I guess he want really to 
blame for it ; only he ought to have known better.” 

“ What was that ? ” 

“ Oh, something that most every human critter 
does.” 

“ I wonder what it can be,” said Arden. 

“ I can’t tell you, Mr. Arden ; but if you’ll just keep 
your eyes wide open, you’ll find out quick enough.” 

“ You are not trying to fool me, Jack, are you ? ” 

“ Lord bless you, Mr. Arden, when I fool people, I 
don’t never mean no kind of hurt at all ; but I don’t 
never try to make fun about folks that is in such shape 
as Mr. Woodbury ; cause, you see, he’s the best man I 
ever laid eyes on, except ’Squire Benson, and present 
company is always excepted.” 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


35 


“ Yes, yes,” said Arden ; “ he’s as good as the best, 
and I don’t think you would joke about this matter. 
But couldn’t you tell me what you really think about 
the cause of Mr. Woodbury’s ill health?” 

‘‘ Can’t do it, Mr. Arden ; and besides you needn’t 
be long finding out, if you keep your eyes open, and 
aint prejudiced.” 

“ I wonder what the fellow means,” thought Arden 
to himself, as he walked away to the house. 

“What are you thinking about?” asked Julia, as 
she noticed her husband’s abstracted air. 

“Why,” replied Arden, “Jack informed me that 
Mr. Woodbury nearly fainted away just now, and he 
seems to think our pastor is troubled in mind, but re 
fuses to tell me his own opinion as to the cause.” 

“ And would not give you the slightest hint ? ” 

“No ; I could not extract the first intimation from 
him.” 

“ Did you press the question ? ” 

“ I did ; but without success. Now, Julia, can you not 
guess something near what has caused our pastor’s ill 
health?” 

“ It strikes me,” replied Julia, evading the question^ 
“ that we had better call often, to show our interest 
and sympathy, and we can perhaps find out for our- 


36 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


selves without any random conjectures. We ought to 
call often. It will do more good than a thousand doc- 
tors.” 

“ A thousand doctors would be sure death,” said Ar- 
den. 

“Yes,” added Julia; “rather more than one sick 
man could bear up under, and full as many as any well 
person could withstand.” 

“Well,” said Arden, “ I shall call on your father and 
a number of other friends, to see what they think in re- 
gard to giving our pastor a vacation this winter. It 
comes at a time when we need him most : — so many are 
just on the pomt of joining the church. But if we must 
spare him, we must.” 

But we will leave Arden to consult with his friends, 
and return to the pastor. 

Mr. Woodbury, on leaving Jack, entered his wife’s 
house, and passed to the library. 

“How heavy this blow has seemed to me!” said the 
pastor, as he sank into an easy chair, the property of 
his wife. “ When I pictured to myself the blessings 
that would flow to the church through my marriage, 
when I thought of the comfort in store for me, how far 
was my imagination from the true reality!” 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


37 


Ignorant other husband’s ill turn, Maud appeared 
just in time to see her maid usher ’Squire Benson into 
the study. The wife would have entered, but the 
door was shut. 

‘‘Have I committed a crime beyond the bounds of 
pardon ?”queried Maud sarcastically. “True, I was 
not only foolish but wicked ; yet has he no faults that 
he judges my words outside the pale of mercy? I’m 
sure had he uttered, in a fit of passion, language far 
more insulting, not one hour should have passed be- 
fore I would have gone to him, put my a]*ms around 
his neck and said^ There, George, you did not mean 
that, did you?” 

It did not seem to occur to the wife that, being in 
the wrong, duty as well as her own interest demand- 
ed that she should use her best endeavors to effect a 
reconciliation and with the least possible delay Her 
excuses were not satisfactory to herself ; for without 
the return of the lost confidence and affection of the 
man she adored, she looked for a life of misery. 

As ’Squire Benson came from the study he closed 
the door, saying, “Mrs. Woodbury, your husband 
is asleep. We seldom notice, as quickly, changes in 
those we often see ; and, therefore, I feel it my duty 
to say that he is very sick.” 


S8 FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES 

Maud realized that she was beloved by every one 
she knew connected with ’Squire Benson, whether by 
ties of blood or marriage. Notwithstanding the grand 
old Christian warrior’s formal manner and sometimes 
stilted speech, his pure life and kind heart won the 
esteem of all Ardenville. He had no warmer admirer 
than the pastor’s wife. ’Squire Benson’s grandchild 
was named for Maud who was greatly interested in 
her little namesake. To-day the genial old man was, 
perhaps, more than usually cordial; for he had just 
learned that Mrs. AVoodbury bad been asked by a 
poor but worthy couple to name their twin boys, one 
of whom she had called Benjamin Benson Allen and 
the other George AA^oodbury Allen. Appropriate gifts 
were also made, Maud laughingly saying that Bennie 
was to be a ’Squire and Georgie a D. D. 

‘A\^hy ’Squire Benson !” exclaimed Maud, “is my 
husband dangerously ill?” 

“No dangerous ill will ever come to your husband. 
But he is very sick. It is so fortunate that he has a 
wife who will see that he does not lack the sympathy 
and attention he needs.” 

“Thank j^ou,” replied Maud, grateful that her vis- 
itor had no suspicion of any relations between her- 
self and husband other than the most cordial. 


CHAPTER IV. 


MAUD RESOLVES TO BECOME A GOOD WIFE. 

M aud could not fully believe that her husband 
was really in danger. “He is only a little tir- 
ed,” thought she, “and a vacation wilLsoon restore him 
to perfect health. Why, how easily he sleeps ! and 
he must have fallen asleep in the midst of his con- 
versation with good ’Squire Benson.” 

But Maud was much alarmed, and determined to 
know the worst. Some two hours after, hearing her 
husband move, she passed into the library, and saw 
him sitting in the easy chair, looking around as though 
in search of something. 

“Was not Brother Benson here but a moment ago ?” 
he asked. 

“ He left neatly two hours since,” replied Maud. 

“ Have I slept so long? I must have fallen asleep 
while he was talking with me. Oh ! I Ve had a beauti- 
ful dream, and I cannot persuade myself that angels 
are not here! Yes, I was very tired, but I feel much 
rested. How beautiful heaven must be! I dreamed 
39 


40 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


I was gazing upon its glories. My sainted mother 
seemed to beckon me to come in, and I was about to 
enter, when a voice seemed to say, ‘not yet!’ and I 
awoke. Yes ; it must be a land of rest, for a mere 
dream of its glories has removed all my weariness. 
Perhaps I have caught a glimpse of the reality.” 

“George?” exclaimed Maud, turning pale with fear, 
“are you so very ill 

“Yes, Maud, I was very ill but I feel almost well 
now. I think I shall be entirely so in a few days.” 

“Then you do not think yourself in danger?” 

“No, Maud; I was never less alarmed in my life.” 

“I thought it could not be, or I should have notic- 
ed it.” 

“Don’t alarm yourself about me, Maud. I wonder 
where Jack is.” 

“I’m always round when you’re talking about me,” 
replied Jack, entering the room. 

“ Yes, my friend, you are always on hand at the 
right time. It will be a cold night, and I wish you 
would see that the fire in the furnace will do until 
morning. And when you come from the cellar, bring 
one of those large custard pies for yourself.” 

“Shall I leave you alone?” asked Maud, as, a few 
minutes after, she hesitated at the door; for in spite of 
her husband’s assurances, she felt slightly uneasy. 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


41 


“Don’t trouble yourself at all,” replied Mr Wood- 
bury, cheerfully, “ I shall retire soon.” 

Maud went to her own room, but it was past mid- 
night before sleep visited her. 

“He must be ill.” thought she, “in spite of all his 
assurances to the contrary. And, now that I think of 
it, he did not really tell me he was not sick in body. 
How thin he grows ! Strange I did not notice it before ! 
Perhaps I am the cause.” 

From the first Maud had not only loved her hus- 
band with all her heart ; but her love was none the 
less fervent and true although the honey-moon was 
passed. In her love and alarm she saw little except 
her own imperfections which she magnified instead 
of excused. Now that he was ill her affection for her 
husband covered all his deficiencies. She saw only 
his goodness. Even were she wholly in the right, 
why, all men have faults ; and now that sickness had 
come he should be petted and indulged rather than 
nao:o:ed and scolded. Her health was excellent, and 
as the stronger vessel, she ought to bear the infirmi- 
ties of the weak. And thus the wife went on excus- 
ing her husband and condemning herself. Often false 
to herself, but true to the man she loved. 

‘‘Yes,” said she, “I must from this time share all 


42 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


his cares and interest myself in all his plans. And 
Mrs. Linton and I must part the first time she tries 
to tempt me from the path of duty. 

“If George could but realize that he is all the 
world to me how easily I could win back the old love 
and esteem ! But I will convince him, not by mere 
words but by acts which speak so much plainer ; and 
God will surely aid me. 

“I have been so foolish ! Outstripping Charles in 
our studies, and generally at the head of my class; 
yet after the most foolish of my set I lived a butter- 
fly, with a butterfly’s pleasures, while Charles, from 
boyhood, has enjoyed real happiness in making the 
world better. Addressed as Arden, Charles and e- 
ven Charley, yet honored and esteemed. 

“To-morrow I will begin a new life. To-morrow? 
to-morrow? ’Behold, now is the accepted time be- 
hold, now is the day of salvation.’ Yes ! I will com- 
mence this very minute.” 

Maud soon found the Bible from which, years ago, 
she had committed to memory the largest number of 
verses of any one in the Sunday School. She read 
chapter after chapter ; for they appeared to take on 
new meanings. Those she had memorized seemed 
especially addressed to herself. 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES, 


43 


It was late when, for the first time, Maud knelt 
at her bedside. Her prayer was earnest and sincere. 
Her main request was for the return of her husband’s 
confidence. As she laid her head upon the pillow, 
she suddenly became aware of the fact that she* had 
been singing very softly to herself. The tune was 
“Bera,” a favorite of hers, and the words, set to the 
music, seemed like a supplement to her prayer. — - 

WHERE SHALL OUR FAITH SECURELY REST? 

1 Where shall our faith securely rest, 

From every shade of doubting free? 

Where hut in our great Friend and best? 

WTiere, Heavenly Father, save in thee? 

2 In pastures wide, and rich, and green. 

By living waters, pure and deep. 

Our Shei)lierd leads, tho’ all unseen, 

In tend’rest care our souls doth keep. 

3 Here will we rest secure from harm. 

That ever flows from vice and sin ; 

Defended by thine own right arm, 

And from a thousand foes within. 

4 Come, weary wand'rer, turn thy feet ; 

Haste to thy Father's home to-day ; 

List to his voice, so low and sweet. 

And from his keeping never stray. 


CHAPTER V. 

MR. WOODBURY, MAUD, AND JACK. 

T he next morning, Maud awoke with a confused 
idea that something was wrong ; but soon after, 
she arose and proceeded to her husband’s room. Al- 
though it was quite late, he had evidently but just 
arisen, and his toilet was in an unfinished state. Jack 
was rendering all the assistance in his power ; but he 
was imused to fine linen, and little progress seemed to 
be made. 

“Allow me,” said Maud, as she entered the room. 
“You are an excellent young man, Jack ; but not ex- 
pected to understand the whole art of the toilet.” 

Jack was much surprised to hear himself so pleas- 
antly addressed, while Mr. Woodbury could only smile 
very gratefully without uttering a word. 

“Sit down,” continued Maud ; “you look tired.” 
And in a few minutes Mr. Woodbury looked, as 
Jack expressed it, “in ship-shape.” 

‘‘Thank you Maud,” said Mr. Woodbury. “I 
haven’t been dressed so well for weeks. How much 
better your taste is than mine ! ” 

44 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


46 


“ Oh no !” replied Maud ; “ 1 never saw you when 
you were not well dressed.” 

‘‘ I guess you both understand it better than I do,” 
remarked Jack. “ Mr. Woodbury’s hands kinder 
trembled, or I shouldn’t tried to help him. But then 
I aint no account when collars has to be put on good.” 

“ Never mind, Jack,” replied Maud ; “ you did the 
best you could, and that is as much as any one can 
do.” 

“Well,” exclaimed Jack, as he went to the barn, 

I wonder what new kink has got hold of that woman. 
I guess she aint very bad after all. It don’t seem like 
Sunday, to-day, and I’ve a great mind to do something 
to let off steam.” 

A few minutes later. Jack, who had joined the pas- 
tor’s Bible class, started for Sunday School, where he 
found ’Squire Benson endeavoring to unite the pastor’s 
class with his own, which was soon accomplished, and 
’Squire Benson performed the duties of teacher for 
both classes. 

As the bells rang for meeting, Jack wended his way 
to the church, where he saw Mr. and Mrs. Woodbury 
enter the house of worship together. 

“Why!” exclaimed Jack, “I shouldn’t wonder if 
they were going to get married again.” 


46 FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 

When Jack entered the church, he saw not only the 
pastor, but ’Squire Benson in the pulpit. 

“ I guess ’Squire Benson is going to hold forth, cause 
Mr. Woodbury is sick,” said Jack to himself, “but 
won’t he make us laugh, though, if he does attempt to 
preach?” 

But ’Squire Benson did hold forth, and, although 
some of his opening stories excited an approving smile, 
the latter part of his discourse was very impressive. 

“Well !” exclaimed Jack, “if that wasn’t ’bout the 
best thing I ever heard tell on. I can’t exactly tell 
which I like best — Mr. Woodbury or ’Squire Benson.” 

After the sermon Mr. Woodbury rose, very pale, 
and read the following hymn : 

THE BETTER LAND. 

There is a land of purest joy, 

That mortal eye hath never seen, 

Where wasting time can ne’er destroy. 

Nor Autumn fade its fields of green. 

No wintry blast can reach that land. 

Nor scorching wind sweep o’er its plains ; 

But angels with sweet gales are fanned, 

And naught but spring eternal reigns. 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


4T 


No sin nor sorrow, sighs nortears 
Can ever dim that realm so fair ; 

Nor thousand times ten thousand years 
Unfold the raptured glories there. 

Celestial forms, in spotless white, 

Where mortal footsteps never trod, 

Are waiting for the blissful sight. 

When Christ shall bring us home to God. 

When Mr. Woodbury finished reading, there was 
hardly a dry eye in the room. 

“I wonder what has got into my eyes,” thought Jack. 
“I can’t hardly see. Kinder appears as though I’d 
been crying like.” 

As Mr. and Mrs. Woodbury were passing from the 
church together, many of the congregation gathered 
around them to show their sympathy. 

‘‘I am so sorry this aflHiiction has befallen you,” ex- 
claimed Mrs. Bright. 

“And I also regret,” replied Mr. Woodbury, “that I 
am unable to do duty ; yet to me, it seems a blessing. 
I have just learned the real value of my friends. All 
are so kind, so sympathetic, that, although my body is 
weak, I feel strong in the Lord, and in the kind friends 
he has sent me.” 

Maud’s eyes moistened, more than once, as she lis- 


48 


FORl'lINES AND MISFORTUNES. 


tened to the words of sympathy and regard which were 
offered on every hand. 

‘"What a treasure I have cast from me!” said she to 
herself. “ How bravely he bears his misfortunes I How 
cheerfully he talks I and how noble he really is !” 

Arden and Julia accompanied them to the door, and, 
as the former couple leturned to their own dwelling, 
Arden wondered, more than ever, at the language of 
Jack, fully ^convinced that the pastor’s sickness was 
only the effect of excessive labor. 

‘‘And, George,” said Maud, as she entered the house 
with her husband, “George, are you so very sick?” 

“Don’t be alarmed about me, Maud,” replied the 
husband, “ I trust that I shall soon be well.” 

“ But, George, I cannot help being alarmed. You 
look so pale, and then you are weak ; but you must 
not, no, you cannot — Believe me, husband, I am sor- 
ry for my late coldness. I am thoughtless but not en- 
tirely heartless.” 

“Never mind, Maud : let by-gones be by-gones.” 

“Bless you a thousand times 1” exclaimed Maud, 
careless of diction in her fervent gratitude that the 
past was to be condoned. “But you are really confi- 
dent of your recovery in a few days ?” 

“Yes ; I shall be perfeetly well soon.” 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


49 


“ George !” exclaimed Maud, in great alarm, “what 
do you mean by PERFECTLY WELL? Oh! do not de- 
ceive me I” 

“ I will not, Maud. I feel that my stay on earth is 
short, and I shall soon be well ; yes, perfectly well in 
heaven. On account of my friends, life is still dear to 
me ; but for my own good I long to depart.” 

Maud looked at her husband, and then burst into a 
passionate flood of tears, as she exclaimed, “ Oh George ! 
you must not die.” 

Mr. Woodbury led her to the sofa, and, sitting down 
beside her, he finally succeeded in partially calming 
her violent agitation. He attempted no caresses, no 
endearing words ; yet his manner was so kind and gen. 
tie, that she soon became calm, though the tears contin- 
ued to flow. 

’Squire Benson preached again in the evening to a 
crowded house, while Mr. Woodbury, who sat in the 
pulpit, drank in large draughts of happiness. Maud 
hardly left her husband’s side during the whole day, 
and in the evening, after returning from meeting, as he 
reclined upon a lounge, she arranged the furniture of 
his room, and tried to anticipate his slightest wish, 
while it seemed to her that his eyes followed her con- 
tinually. About ten o’clock Jack came in and took 
his seat by the fire. 


60 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


“Does Jack stop with you all night?” asked Maud. 

“ Yes,” replied Mr. Woodbury ; “Jack is an excellent 
watchman.” * 

“’Taint no trouble at all for me,” replied Jack; 
“cause, you see, I was used to it on board ship. Why, 
I’d rather sit up more than half the time ; but then I 
don’t have to, after all ; cause I sleep mighty nice right 
before the fire.” 

“ You are very kind and good. Jack,” said Maud ; 
“and I, as well as my husband, am very much obliged 
to you. We shall not forget the kind things you do 
for us. There is a very nice custard pie on the swing- 
ing-shelf, that you had better bring up to eat.” 

“ Much obliged,” replied Jack, whose mouth began 
to water at the thought of the feast he would have 
during the night. 

“ Had I not better watch with you to night ?” ask- 
ed Maud, during Jack’s absence. 

“No, Maud,” replied Mr. Woodbury; “I think you 
had better obtain all the rest you can ; for by and by 
when I become very weak, you will have much to do.” 


CHAPTER VI. 


LITTLE ELLA BKIGHT, 

T he next morning Maud went to her husband’s 
room, and assisted him to complete his toilet, and 
do numberless other little things that only a woman 
can think of. About the middle of the forenoon. Jack 
came in, leading little Ella Bright. Mr. Woodbury 
caught her in his arms, and endeavored to toss her up 
near the ceiling; but his weakness prevented his toss- 
ing her very high. Ella, however, was highly pleas- 
ed, and laughed in great glee. 

“ Be you glad ’cause I’m come?” asked Ella. 

‘‘Yes, my little dear,” replied Mr. Woodbury. “I 
love to have very good little girls, like you, come to 
see me.” 

“ There 1 I knowed you would, and I told mamma 
so.” 

“ Her mother didn’t want her to come,” explained 
Jack; “ but I promised to take care that she was not 
troublesome.” 

“Yes,” exclaimed Ella; “mamma said you was sick, 
and didn’t want little girls to worry you.” 

61 


52 


FOBTXJNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


“ I hardly think you ever trouble anybody,” said Mr. 
Woodbury. “ Little girls, who are not cross, but very 
good natured, are very good company for me when I 
am ill.” 

“ I guess,” remarked Jack, rising, I’ll go to the 
barn, and by and by I’ll come back and get Ella, and 
we’ll look round and see the kittens.” 

“ I don’t want you to go now. Jack,” said Ella. 

“ No,” added Mr. Woodbury; ‘‘I think. Jack, that 
you had better stay; for when I become weary, you 
can tell her some very pretty stories.” 

Jack resumed his seat, and asked Ella if she would 
come and sit upon his knee. 

“No, Jack,” replied Ella; “ I’ll sit on your knee by 
and by; but I’m going to sit in Mr. Woodbury’s lap 
now ; ’cause I want to talk with him, and ask him lots 
of questions.” And she climbed upon the pastor’s knee, 
and began to rattle away at a great rate, much to the 
amusement of both auditors. 

Maud soon after came into the room and little Ella’s 
tongue ran faster than ever. 

“ What makes you so good?” asked Maud, patting 
Ella’s cheek. 

“ I guess it’s ’cause I love everybody but great, big, 
cross dogs.” 


FOETUNES AND MISFOKTUNES. 


68 


‘‘ Ha! ha I ha I” laughed Mr. Woodbury. “ But, af- 
ter all, that is the real secret of goodness. Always 
love everybody, and you will always be good.’’ 

“I’m going to,” exclaimed Ella. “Do you love 
everybody ?” 

“Yes, my dear ; or rather I try to.” 

“ I guess that is what makes you so good : aint it?” 

“If any one is truly good,” replied Mr. Woodbury, 
“that is the cause.” 

“ Well, I know you BE good ; cause papa and mam- 
ma said you was ; and Jack said you was the bestest 
man as ever lived. Don’t you think he is ?” 

This last appeal was made to Maud, who replied, 
“We married women don’t like to tell people that our 
husbands are better than other men ; but in this in- 
stance I think I’ll say, yes; I think Mr. Woodbury is 
the best man I ever saw.” 

Jack was somewhat astonished at this remark and 
began to think he might be mistaken in regard to Mr. 
and Mrs. Woodbury’s, connubial relations ; but as he 
saw the gathering moisture in the pastor’s eyes, he 
said to himself, “ I’m right after all. She’s only kind- 
er repenting at the eleventh hour ; though when I see 
how weak he grows, I might as well call it hard on to 
twelve.” 


64 


POETUNES AND MISPOETUNES. 


‘‘ Mamma said/’ broke in Ella, “that you was good- 
er’n most everybody ; ’cause you loved your wife so 
much. Do you ?” 

“ Yes,” replied Mr Woodbury, his eyes still moist ; 
“all good husbands love their wives very much.” 

“Do you love Mr. Woodbury ever so much?” asked 
Ella, turning to Maud. 

“Does your mamma love your papa ever so much?” 
asked Maud, evading the question. 

“ Yes,” replied Ella, promptly, “she loves him ever 
and ever so much.” 

“ And how much do you love him?” 

“ I love him enough to make him holler. But don’t 
you love Mr. Woodbury ever so much?” 

“ Yes,” replied Maud, not daring to look at her hus- 
band. “ I ought to love so good a husband, and I hope 
I do.” 

“ Don’t you know certain?” 

“ Oh yes ; I’m very sure.” 

Just after dinner. Jack and Ella went to visit the 
kittens, Mrs. Woodbury departed for the parlor to en- 
tertain Mrs. Linton, while Mr. Woodbury, seated in his 
easy chair, fell into a very interesting train of thought. 

“ Yes,” thought he, “she does love me, and I will 
not let pride keep us apart. Being the stronger vessel, 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


65 


I will make the first advances. I ought to humble 
myself whenever and wherever any good can be accom- 
plished. And I will not wait, but do my duty while in 
the humor.” 

Mr. Woodbury passed to the parlor, which he was 
about to enter, when, hearing voices, he involuntarily 
stopped to ascertain who the visitor could be, and 
heard his wife remark, 

“ Yes, Mrs. Linton, I know that you understand how 
to manage your own husband ; but I never expect to 
rule mine.” 

“ I would risk but what I could rule him.” 

You would run a great risk.” 

“ But, my dear friend, it takes me to rule a man. 
You must not quarrel with some men.” 

“ I don’t quarrel with my husband,” replied Maud, 
“and, what is more, I never shall.” 

“ Why, how earnest you are all at once v” 

“I am in earnest.” 

“ And I am glad you are ; for your husband is a bad 
subject to quarrel with. I know him through and 
through, and I am happy to know that you are trying 
some other method than family jars. Flatter him. 
Tell him he is ever so good. Speak of his talents. 
Coax him. Look grieved, and occasionally add a few 


66 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


tears. Make him think you can’t live without him» 
You understand what I mean.” 

Mr. Woodbury could bear no more, and, turning 
away, he returned to the library. 

“ Is it possible,” thought he, “that Maud can act so 
false a part? I can never take her to my heart again. 
I will love her. I will be as kind and gentle as it is 
possible for me to be ; yet I cannot forget that she is not 
what she seems. How my heart bounded but a moment 
ago ! yet now it seems almost still. How can she be so 
cruel? No ! she cannot; I will not believe that she can 
conceive of the cruelty of such conduct. But here she 
comes.” 

“ You look lonesome,” said Maud as she entered the 
room. “ I did not intend staying so long ; but Mrs. 
Linton is a great talker, and will hardly be set aside.” 

“Yes, Mrs. Linton is, I judge, rather persistent. I 
am not, however, very favorably impressed with her ; 
but I have learned that all persons possess more or less 
goodness.” 

“ I suppose you are right, George ; though sometimes 
I fail to discover any goodness in some people,” 

“ There is goodness there, nevertheless,” replied Mr. 
Woodbury. “All are, however, like the moon that 
shines only with borrowed light from the sun. The 


FORT UN KS AND MISFORTUNES. 


67 


light of our goodness comes only from the Sun of Right- 
eousness. Like the dark side of the moon, the dark- 
ness of sin shadows every part of the soul on which 
Jesus does not shine. How earnestly we should seek 
for the blessing of righteousness.’' 

‘‘And is that only obtained by the prayer of faith?” 
asked Maud. 

“Every child, born into the world,^’ replied Mr. 
Woodbury, “receives, as we all know full well, ten 
thousand blessings never prayed for ; but any person, 
knowing the power of prayer, ought not to expect the 
great blessings of the gospel in any other way. Those 
who disbelieve in the power of prayer will not be apt 
to seek for treasures throngh that medium. ” 

“ You were speaking of the darkness of sin but a 
moment since,” said Maud. “ What do you consider 
its worst form 

<‘The worst phase,” replied Mr. Woodbury, “is, 
undoubtedly, the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, 
which Mark declares (hi :30) is accusing Jesus, who 
was filled with this Spirit, of having an unclean 
spirit. And the next worst form of wickedness is, 
without the slightest doubt, endeavoring to appear 
to be the possessor of some lofty virtue without 


58 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


wishing to possess it. Love is the loftiest of all virtues, 
and as the Bible informs us, in Rom. xiil. 10, is the 
fulfilling of the law. And when our love does not pen- 
etrate the heart, but, on the contrary, is only an outside 
garment, we are of all persons, farthest removed from 
true Christianity. It is comparatively easy for me to 
look with charity upon a profane person, or even upon 
an abandoned woman who makes no pretensions to pie- 
ty and goodness ; but it is a difficult task for me to ex- 
cuse those who pretend a piety or a love which is 
only a cloak to cover some selfish purpose, or, worst of 
all, is used as a means of selfishness.” 

Maud looked at her husband, to see if the expression 
of his face would throw any light upon his meaning ; 
but, as though it were only a passing thought, he con- 
tinued, 

“ Even conversions to Christianity are often tinctured 
with far too much selfishness. For example, when I 
hear a convert continually saying, ‘Glory to God that I 
am saved!’ I always look upon him as a fit subject for 
a deeper work ; but when, with a heart filled with 
love to God and man, one of my converts forgets him- 
self in his efforts in behalf of others, I can only pray 
God to keep him steadfast and immovable. Am I not 
right, Maud?” 


FOETUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


69 


I know that you are,” replied jVTaud. “ And I also 
well know that my own religious experience has not 
been what it should, but far from it. Is there not an 
opportunity for me to become a more advanced con- 
vert?” 

Mr. Woodbury looked up in surprise ; but replied 
quickly, “ Yes, whenever we are willing to give up all 
for Christ, we are on the very threshold of the king- 
dom.” 

‘‘ Then it must be for Christ, and not simply for our 
friends.” 

“ Simply for our friends, if you will ; but Christ is 
our friend — a friend that sticketh closer than a bro- 
ther.” 

‘‘Yet pardon me, George,” replied Maud, “when 
I say that such answers are to me vague and almost 
meaningless. I may be wholly wrong ; but it really 
does seem to me, that to assist any one willing to be 
aided, to encourage those wishing to become better, 
(not in self-righteousness but in loving-kindness) is 
more pleasing to God and our Saviour than crying, 
‘Lord! Lord T” 

The result of this conversation was a sad disap- 
pointment to Maud. Husband and wife learned af- 
terwards that they had mistaken each other. 


CHAPTER VII. 


JACK AND ELLA. 

A t this moment Jack appeared at the door, ask- 
ing if he might use the horse to take Ella to 

ride. 

Yes,” replied Mr. Woodbury; “ and I will go out 
and see you start.” 

A few minutes after, Jack and Ella rode out of the 
yard. 

“ Aint this drefful nice ?” exclaimed Ella. 

“Yes,” replied Jack, “ Prince is a good horse, and 
we shall have a tip-top ride.” 

“ Did you have any horses on your ship ?” 

“ Not a great many. There was one man, however, 
who rode out every pleasant afternoon ; but he was 
awful lazy, and besides he wanted to let us all know 
that he was worth a great heap of money.” 

“ Mother said there was lots of money in the sea.” 

“ Yes,” replied Jack, “ there’s ship loads of it. I 
went down once in a diving bell, and I saw great heaps 
of gold.” 

60 


FOKTTJKES AKD MISFOETtJKES. 


61 


“ Did you take some of it?” 

‘‘ Yes, I took o£E my pants and tied up the bottoms 
with my suspenders. Then I filled ’em with gold; 
but one of the legs got loose, and I lost more than half 
of all I had. The captain was so mad, that he took 
all the gold away from me, and swore he would’nt give 
me more than half my wages to pay for it.” 

‘‘ He was wicked to swear,” said Ella. 

Yes,” added Jack, “ he was very wicked ; but the 
cruelest thing he ever done, was one cold day when a 
mermaid came on board to warm herself.” 

“ What is a mermaid?” asked Ella. 

‘ Mermaids,” replied Jack, ‘‘is females, or kind of 
ladies with fishes’ bodies. They have very beautiful 
long hair, and they are mighty pretty things. Well, 
you see, one cold day, a mermaid came on board and 
asked me if I would let her warm herself. ‘Yes,’ said 
I ; and I just helped her to the stove. But the cap- 
tain spied her, and threw a whole bucket of cold water 
all over her. She looked so kinder pitiful that it 
touched me in a pretty tender spot, and I told her to 
just put on my warm jacket.” 

“ How cold she must have been r” exclaimed Ella. 

“Yes, she shivered like a loose sail. ‘WoiVt you 
let her warm herself?’ said I to the captain. ‘ Oh yes,' 


62 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


said he, ‘ and I’ll help warm her, too.’ And so he seiz^ 
ed a cat-o-nine-tails and whipped her till the blood 
run.” 

“ Oh, how wicked that was !” 

“ Yes, it was very cruel ; but he got his pay for it ; 
for that same day we heard the captain holler, and 
running to see what the matter was, we found him 
missing ; and I always thought the captain was kid- 
napped by some of them mermaids on account of his 
wicked conduct.” 

Did you ever see that mermaid after that. Jack?” 

“ No, not that same one ; but when we came back, 
I met her cousin, who came on board, and asked the 
name of the ship, and when I told her, she asked if 
Jack Green was aboard. I told her I was him, and 
then she shook hands with me, and gave me a small 
leather bag which she said was sent me by the mer* 
maid I had given my jacket to. When I opened the 
bag, I found it full of gold and silver.” 

‘‘ And did you ask her about the captain ?” 

“ Yes ; but she didn’t seem willing to answer my 
question ; so I just asked after her cousin’s health, and 
she told me her cousin was pretty well, only her bact 
was cut up with that cat-o-nine-tails.” 

“Is a cat-nine-tails made of cats’ tails?” 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


63 


“ Yes — large cats’ tails ; though we used to have one 
made of kittens’ tails to flog the cabin boy ; ’cause he 
was small, you see.” 

“ Yes, I see,” replied Ella. “ What was your name 
when you was so small you slept in a tumbler ?” 

“ My name was Jack; though, once in a while, they 
used to call me Tom Thumb.” 

“Mamma said she guessed you was called Tom 
Thumb, when I told her about it.” 

“ What did your mother say about it ?” 

“ She said you was a very funny boy.” 

“ Ha ! ha ! ha !” laughed Jack. “ Well, I was rather 
funny when I was very small, and folks used to laugh 
when they saw some of my tricks. I used to crawl 
into the toe of my mother’s shoe, and when she went 
to put it on, I would grab her toe, and then she’d 
scream, thinking it was a mouse. But I got cured of 
that trick ; for once when I had climbed into father’s 
boot, he tried to put it on and nearly suffocated me ; 
but as luck would have it, I found a hole in. the toe of 
the boot, and I hollered through it like a good one ; 
and father pulled off his boot and let me out. You 
ought to have seen me, when I crawled out. I was 
covered with dirt from head to foot, and every rag of 
my clothes had to be changed.” 


64 


FOBTXJNBS AND MISFORTUNES. 


Your mother used to wash you when you was so 
little, didn’t she, Jack?” 

“ She did when she wasn’t too busy, and then I used 
to wash myself.” 

“ What did you wash in?” 

‘‘Well, when I washed my face and hands, I used a 
teaspoon ; but when I wanted to wash my feet, mother 
would let me have her thimble. I would just sit down 
on a chip, and let my legs hang down into the thimble, 
and just wash my feet and legs as easy as nothing. 
When I wanted to wash all over, mother would hand 
me a great spoon most full of water, and I would have 
a very nice bath.” 

“ Oh, want that funny ?” 

“ Yes, it was kinder funny ; but the funniest thing I 
ever did was one day when mother was making toast. 
She had company, and had just set it (the toast, not 
the company) on the table, when I got up from a little 
pin cushion on which I was seated, jumped upon the 
dish of toast, and hid behind one of the slices. By 
and by mother called my name to see where I was ; 
but I laid still without saying a word. Mother step- 
ped to the table ; but I dodged behind another slice 
of toast, and was trying to peek round the edge of the 
piece, when I slipped on the butter, and in I went all 


FOBTUKES AND MI8FOKTUNES. 


66 


over. My mouth was so full, that I couldn’t holler ; 
but luckily for me, 1 caught hold of a piece of bread 
that was floating round, and pulled myself out of the 
gravy on the piece, when I sailed round and round, as 
a man would float on a raft. I felt kinder streaked ; 
’cause I got so plaguy greasy ; but I tried to look as 
though I didn’t care a cent about it. Mother laughed 
so hard, however, that I expect I must have turned 
pretty red in the face ; but I tried to look unconcerned 
and cried out, mother,— whew ! what’s the matter ?” 

This last exclamation was caused by the suddef 
spring of the horse which freed him from the carriage; , 
and nearly pulled Jack over the dasher. 

“ Well !” exclaimed Jack, as he saw the animal ti it- 
ting away, ‘‘ we are in a pretty pickle.” 

The horse had parted from the vehicle so easily, Umt, 
to us(^ Jack’s expression, “ Ella was not much scoured, 
but awfully interested.” They were in a rather novel 
situation ; but Jack took the little girl from th'a buggy 
and removed it to one side of the road. He then took 
Ella “pig-back,” and commenced the journey home. 

“ Now,” thought Jack, ‘‘were I in the habit of tell- 
ing the truth, all I should have to do would be to tell 
Mr. Woodbury the whole story, and he would see that 
I was not to blame. But I expect I shall catch it this 


66 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


time, if I never do again. How much better it is to 
tell the truth always.^ but instead of that I tell lies all 
ways — yes, all sorts and kinds of ways. That’s why I 
feel as though I’d like to skulk and run. The Bible 
says, ‘ The wicked flee when no man pursueth.’ That’s 
just about as true as can be. It don’t make a cent of dif- 
ference whether any one puts after me or not; just as sure 
as the day comes, just so sure something pops up that 
I want to take leg bail and streak it for fear I shall bo 
nabbed; and all on account of my confounded lies. 
Jack Green, you’re a fool, and a mighty big one, too. 
Why don’t you stop lying, and let people know you’ve 
got a little mite of common sense? Why don’t you be 
somebody?” 

Jack’s cogitations were interrupted by Ella, who 
began humming a lively tune. 

‘‘How good you be, Jack!” cried the little girl. 
“ Here I be riding ever so good, and you lugging me. 
And aint it funny? — you are the jack-horse, ’cause 
your name is Jack. I know what I’ll do. I’ll sing 
you a song to pay for riding. What shall I sing ? Oh, 
I know, a hymn ; ’cause it must be something awful 
good for this good ride.” 

Ella run over a few hymns in her mind, and then 
sang as follows ; 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


67 


LIVE NEARER TO JESUS. 

Live nearer to Jesus, 

Trust ever in him, 

He waiteth to free us 
From bondage and sin ; 

Stand up for our Saviour, 

Stand ever in him. 

In duty ne’er waver. 

Our Saviour is King. 

Chokus — I n his love we are stronger, 

In King Jesus we conquer. 

Trust in thyself no longer; 

For our Saviour is King. 

Live nearer to Jesus, 

Ever trust in his power; 

Through life he will lead us 
In every dark hour ; 

Stray not from his keeping. 

In Jesus abide ; 

Joys constantly reaping 
On life’s swelling tide. 

Cho.— In his love we are stronger. 

In King Jesus we conquer, 

Trust in thyself no longer; 

For our Saviour is King. 

“ That’s a good sermon,” said Jack, when Ella had 
finished singing. 

Why, it’s a hymn, Jack. Don’t you know ; it’s 
in our hymn book.” 


68 


FOBTUNES Am> MISFOBTUNES. 


“ Oh yes, I know all about that,” replied Jack, 
“ But it’s a sermon, Ella, and you are the preacher.” 

“ How funny 1” 

Jack again fell into a serious train of thought, for- 
getting all about his little companion. Ella was much 
pleased with her novel manner of riding home ; but 
wondered why Jack was so very sober. 

‘‘ Do you feel drefful bad about the horse and car- 
riage?” she finally inquired. 

“ Well, a little so,” replied Jack. 

“ Is the carriage all spilte?” 

“ Oh, no,” replied Jack; “ there’s nothing but the 
harness broken.” 

“ And wont the horse go right home?” 

“ Oh, yes ; he’ll go home well enough, if somebody 
don’t scare him to death.” 

‘‘ I wouldn’t feel bad then, if I was you,” 

Oh, I don’t feel bad about that,” replied Jack ; 
“ but I’m afraid Mr. Woodbury will be angry about 
it.” 

I don’t believe he will ; ’cause he’s so good, and 
you can tell him all about it.” 

“ Perhaps he won’t believe me.” 

“Oh, yes he will, Jack; ’cause he knows you never 
tell lies.” 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


69 


Ella, you are a good little girl ; but you don’t know 
what tolerably good men will do once in a while. I 
know that Mr. Woodbury won’t believe a word I say.” 

“ But I’ll tell him he must believe you, and if he 
don’t, I shan’t like him any more ; and I’ll tell him so, 
too. And then I’ll tell him all about it, and he’ll have 
to believe me ; ’cause he knows me ever and ever so 
much.” 

“Well I” exclaimed Jack; ‘‘you are a good one. I 
never thought of that before. You just tell him all 
about it, and I’ll run the risk of the whole thing. How 
different I'm situated from that dog — let me see — what 
was his name ? Tray ? Yes, that’s it. Dog Tray fell 
into bad company, and got a good flogging ; but I’ve 
fell into good company, and I’m in luck. Well, I 
must say it is a mighty nice thing to keep good com- 
pany. You just tell Mr. Woodbury all about how it 
happened, and it will straighten this thing out straight- 
er than a bee-line.” 

“ Then let us sing a hymn, Jack. Both of us sing, 
you know.” 

“ All right, Ella ; strike up.” 


70 


FORTDNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


RING THE MERRY BELLS! 

While the merry bells are ringing, 

We with cheerful voices singing, 

Ring the merry bells! ring the merry bells! 

While the chimes to heaven are raising, 

Sound aloud the notes of praising, 

Ring the merry bells! ring the merry bells! 

Psalms and anthems evtr sounding. 

Hearts with gratitude are bounding 
For our mercies alLsurrounding. — 

Ring the merry bells ! ring the merry bells ! 

For our sinful hearts forgiven, 

Through our Saviour, Lord of heaven, 

Ring the merry bells ! ring the merry bells ! 

Precious gifts to mortals, prizing, 

Songs and hymns forever rising, 

Ring the merry bells ! ring the merry bells ! 

Constant gifts of God confessing. 

Endless love and endless blessing. 

In your chiming praise expressing, 

Ring the merry bells I ring the merry bells ! 

By the time Jack and his load arrived at Mr. Wood- 
bury’s gate, the former had entirely recovered his 
wonted spirits. 

“ Why, how is this ?” exclaimed the cheerful voice 
of Mr. Woodbury. “What kind of a ride do you call 
this, little Rose Bud?” 

“Jack is a jack-horse, and I’m riding on his pig- 
back,” replied Ella. 

“ And so you sent the horse home because you liked 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


71 


pig-bagking better. I have been just the least bit 
alarmed about you both. Are you perfectly sure that 
neither of you is injured?” 

“ Not a scratch,” replied Jack. “How is Prince ?” 

“ The horse is all right. How did the accident hap- 
pen?” 

“ Why,” began Ella, “ Jack was telling me a drefful 
nice story, and ” 

“A true one?” broke in Mr. Woodbury. 

“Oh, yes,” replied Ella; “’cause, you know. Jack 
never tells lies.” 

Jack colored to the roots of his hair; but, instantly 
recovering himself, explained, “ I was merely telling 
her, as usual, that a peck basket holds just ten bushels 
by actual measurement.” 

“ No, Jack, there want no peck baskets in the story,” 
protested Ella. 

“ What was in it then?” asked Mr. Woodbury, laugh- 
ing. 

“ Why, there was a tutnbler, and a boot, and — and 
a spoon, and a thimble, and some toast, and a chip, and 
Jack was so little, he fell in all over, and then a snake 
wiggled in the road, and the horse runned away from 
us, and Jack want to blame, and — and — IVe forgot the 
rest.” 


72 


rOKTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


‘‘A very clear statement,” added Mr. Woodbury. 
‘‘You had better take the horse, Jack, and bring the 
carriage home. It is very fortunate that no one was 
hurt. How near was the snake to the horse?” 

“I didn’t see the snake,” replied Jack. “I’ve been 
wondering what scat the horse.” 

“I guess the horse stepped on him almost,” ex- 
plained Ella ; “but I didn’t see him any more.” 

“Well” soliloquized Jack, the moment he and El- 
la were left alone, “that was a very narrow escape 
for me. I must impress it upon my mind that it re- 
iilly pays to keep good company. O it’s a big fight. 
Jack ; but you must put in your best licks and win.” 

“No, Jack,” protested Ella, “there aint no big 
lickings ; and it’s wicked to fi^ht.” 

“But I mean fight sin,” replied Jack; “and you 
know that is all right. Ella, how much do you love 
me ?” 

“Why, Jack, I love you the best of anybody but 
my father and mother; because you are so good and 
you never tell lies.” 

Jack winced, but said, “Ella, will you be my own 
guardian angel if I will try to be good all my life?” 

“Why, Jack, you be drefi*ul good now. But I’ll 
do all I can for you, only I’m not an angel when you 
call me one so often.” 


“Well, you are the angel for me. 


CHAPTER VIII. 


MAUD PERSEVERES. 

For weeks Maud had not attended conference and 
prayer meetings, but she accompanied her husband 
to the next one. Mr. and Mrs. Benson expressed 
their sympathy for both pastor and wife ; but Julia, 
her unwavering champion, was absent ; and Maud 
imagined she was greeted less cordially than usual. 
Mrs. Woodbury had never been so deeply interested 
in a conference meeting, and at its close, as soon as 
she found herself alone with her husband, she ex- 
claimed with a good deal of enthusiasm, 

“ What a brief conference ! ” 

“ Did it seem so very short?” asked Mr. Woodbury, 
as they walked home. 

‘‘ Yes, very !” 

“ You must have been very much interested, then.” 

‘‘ I was very much so, and especially in ’Squire Ben- 
son’s remarks.” 

73 


74 


FORTUNES AND MSFORTUNES. 


‘‘ ’Squire Benson is a remarkable man.” 

“ So I perceive ; though I never discovered it until 
very lately.” 

Yes, Maud, he is unlike any other man I ever met. 
He has never been obtrusive, never offensive in man- 
ner or language, always delights in occupying the low- 
est place in the church ; yet he has more moral influ- 
ence than any man I am acquainted with, and accom- 
plishes more than I do under full pay.” 

“ Why, George, I must disagree with you. I am 
willing to admit that ’Squire Benson is one of the best 
of men, but no more self-sacrificing than my husband.” 

Mr. Woodbury, though considerably surprised at 
this speech, replied, “ We, being interested parties, are 
not competent judges between ’Squire Benson and my- 
self.” 

But, George, do you mean to affirm that ’Squire 
Benson could fill your place as a minister ?” 

‘‘ Oh no, Maud. On the contrary, I doubt not that 
he would find it almost as difficult to fill my place, as 
I should to fill his. The best method of accomplishing 
any good, is to have the right man in the right place ; 
and ’Squire Benson is, of all men, the most perfect ex- 
ample of that proverb.” 

I now comprehend your meaning. But suppose 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


75 


the right man is not in the right place ; what then ?” 

“ We have examples of that all around us. When I 
see a good-hearted, well-meaning and moral young man 
trying to convert people to infidelity, I can only say, 
that he is the right man in the wrong place ; but when 
I listen, (as I once did,) to a drunken man exhorting 
in a religious meeting, I cannot help remarking that he 
is the wrong man in the right place. And this brings 
us back to ’Squire Benson’s remark that ‘ LIKE BEGETS 
LIKE.’ The offspring of man is human, while the pro- 
geny of the lion is simply a beast. Wheat produces 
wheat, while tares produce tares ; as good engenders 
good, and evil begets evil. We cannot transmit good- 
ness, or make others good, unless we are good our- 
selves. God simply makes us good, because he is good ; 
and because he purifies our hearts, we ought to see at 
once, that he is pure. When the love of God is shed 
abroad in the- heart, we love everybody ; which proves 
that God loves everybody.” 

“That appears plain,” said Maud. “But ’Squire 
Benson says that we are saved by faith. Why not 
salvation by good works ?” 

“Why do we perform good works?” 

“Because we believe in good works. How plain ! 
Now I see. Because we hfXYQ faith in good works.” 


76 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


“But suppose a man believes in evil rather than 
good?'’ 

“Then, of course, he cleaves to the evil.” 

“How then do people become like Christ?” 

“By having faith in him. How clear this subject 
appears ! And I have never before seen its beauty 
because not sufficiently interested ; therefore, I only 
glanced instead of looking. Look and live. Seek 
and find. Why not preach on the subject?” 

“I have time and again.” 

“While not being in a receptive mood, I failed to 
receive instruction.” 

Mr. Woodbury was surprised; for she spoke as if 
deeply and truly sincere. A former conversation 
with her husband here came to Maud, and she now 
saw how utterly she had failed to grasp his meaning. 
It was her golden opportunity ; but she did not im- 
prove it, and in an hour it was too late. 

Maud continued, “I now comprehend the mean- 
ing of coming to Jesus as well as Mr. Benson’s dec- 
laration that faith is the true lever which moves the 
world ; because man seeks after that in which he has 
the most faith. When Paul says that we are saved 
by faith without the deeds of the law, I suppose he 
alludes to the Jewish ceremonial law.” 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


77 


‘‘Yes, Maud. And do you remember what Paul 
says about establishing the moral law by faith 

“Certainly. He says, ‘Do we make void the law 
through faith? Yea, we establish the law.’ Paul 
also says that what availeth anything, is faith which 
worketh by love.’ So faith always works by God’s 
rule or law of love.” 

“But” said Mr. Woodbury, “James says that ‘faith 
without works is dead.’ Now what says our new 
theologian to that statement ?” 

“Why, that Christian faith must lead to love and 
good works. Therefore, any boasted faith without 
works is dead ; that is, has no existence. In other 
words, confession is better than profession which is 
not always genuine. How perfectly these apostles 
agree ! And, George, what a great theologian our 
spoiled child is rapidly becoming !” 

To say that the husband was astonished atMaud*s 
language would feebly express the state of his mind. 
He was fairly bewildered at her seeming spiritual 
insight, especially so recently developed. He was 
about to speak when the wife remarked, 

“I have been thinking, George, by what rule our 
religious experiences are estimated.” 

“I think,” was the reply, “we can always affirm 


78 FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 

that a convert puts on Christ only so far as he hates 
the sin because he loves the sinner. Logically that 
seems a badly mixed-up sentence, does it not?” 

“Not to our new theologian,” exclaimed Maud, de- 
lightedly. “One sure proof of Jesus’ love for us is 
his hatred of our worst enemy which is sin. There- 
fore, we put on Christ when, because we love the 
sinner, we hate his worst enemy which, as I said, is 
sin ; whereas mere worldlings often love the sinner’s 
immoralities far more then they love the sinner.” 

“Why, Maud, Maud, where did you learn that?” • 

“It came to me like an inspiration. Is it true ?” 

“The essence of gospel truth,” replied Mr. Wood- 
bury, adding to himself, “How true, that we often 
say better than we think, do better than we intend.” 

“I wonder if he sees and appreciates the change 
in his wife,” thought Maud, adding aloud, “Why, 
George, how it snows ! I wonder what that noise 
can be. It seems to come from the barn, and sounds 
like the kicking of a horse. I will step to the door 
and see if Prince is loose.” And Maud walked rap- 
idly ahead. “Why, Jack, is that you?” 

“Yes, marm,” replied Jack, stopping in the midst 
of a splendid double- shuffle which he was executing 
much to his own satisfaction. 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES 


79 


“ Having a dance all alone?” asked Maud. 

‘‘ Oh no,” replied Jack. ‘‘ Fact is, Mrs. Woodbury, 
I calculate it will snow to-night, and I was just kinder 
kicking and scraping my boots on the barn floor, to 
make them rough so they wont slip.”^ 

‘‘ Ha ! ha ! ha ! he ! he ! he !” and Maud lingered 
upon the door step, convulsed with laughter. 

‘‘ What is the matter?” asked Mr. Woodbury, who 
had slowly followed his wife. 

The horse is not loose, and I am very much pleas- 
ed.” 

‘‘ So I perceive,” said Mr. Woodbury, joining in the 
laugh; “ but I do not seem to discover any great cause 
for laughter, after all.” 

“Well, I haven’t exactly informed you of the whole 
cause. The noise was occasioned by Jack, who was 
endeavoring to roughen the soles of his boots on the 
floor.” 

“I see,” said Mr. Woodbury. “Jack has singular 
methods of doing some things ; but we all, perhaps, 
can perform anything better in our own way.” Here 
the pastor looked at Jack in a peculiar manner. 

“ Had he said nothing, I should have thought cer- 
tainly that he was dancing,” broke in Maud, laughing 
louder than ever. “ But never mind. Jack ; if it snows 


80 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


to-morrow, you shall have the first use of the horse to 
take Ella a sleigh ride.” 

“ Thank you,” replied Jack, in a confused manner. 
‘‘ But perhaps you’ll want to go to-morrow.” 

‘‘ Oh no, we shall not think of going until the track 
is pretty well broken.” 

“Well !” exclaimed Jack, as the parson and his wife 
returned to the house ; she’s a good woman after all ; 
but I can’t get it out of my head but that she did use 
her husband rather scaly. But want I foolish and wick- 
ed though to tell thattarnal lie, when I knew she could 
see right through any such gammon ? I guess this 
kind don’t go out but by prayer and fasting. I shan’t 
dare to look either in the face, for a week, unless I 
make a clean breast of it. Oh, how guilty and miser- 
able I feel ! and yet how happy I was before I told 
that lie! How Mr. Woodbury looked at me ! Want 
a bit mad • but didn’t it go through me, though?” 



CHAPTER IX. 


SINGULAR ADVERTISEMENT FOR A PASTOR. 

M r. WOODBURY arose the next morning, feel- 
ing better than usual, and, after being dressed, 
informed his wife that he would walk to the barn and 
, back ; but, after wailing some fifteen or twenty minutes 
for his return, Maud proceeded towards the barn, to 
learn what had detained him. She had advanced but a 
few yards, when right before her in the path, she discov- 
ered her husband lying in a state of insensibility. 
Though fearfully frightened, Maud called for Jack, 
who, in a moment, appeared on the spot. 

“Is he — is he— dead?” asked Jack, in accents of 
fear. 

“Oh I no ! no !” exclaimed Maud, in agonizing tones. 
“It must be that he has only swooned.” 

Jack shouted for Arden, who was fortunately within 
hearing, and soon appeared ; and the pastor was con- 
veyed to the house, placed in a warm bed, after which 
Jack ran for the doctor ; but, stopping on the way to 

81 


82 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES, 


inform ’Squire Benson, the latter reached the inva- 
lid first, and pronounced it a case of partial paralysis 
and nervous prostration. 

He may survive,” said ’Squire Benson ; but he 

will be obliged to abandon the pulpit, perhaps forever; 
and it will require the most careful nursing to save his 
life.” 

‘‘ God forgive me,” exclaimed Maud : “ I wanted him 
to abandon the pulpit, and my wish has been granted.” 

Nothing could exceed the attention paid by Maud to 
her sick husband. Day and night she was busy caring 
for the invalid. She seldom left the sick room. For 
a long time the pastor lay speechless, although, after 
many days, he was able to utter a few words, there 
was hardly one who indulged in the least hope of their 
pastor’s recovery. 

It was evident to all that a new pastor must be call- 
ed ; but instead of listening to even one candidate, 
’Squire Benson supplied the pulpit, and the following 
notice was inserted in the '‘Ardenville Gazette and 
Family Visitor 

‘‘A Minister Wanted. 

We, the members of the society and congregation 
connected with the Ardenville Church, take this op- 
portunity to make known our need of a pastor. 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


83 


We want a pastor who is not afraid of stating to us 
what he believes to be true, and who does not object 
to be told by us what we believe to be the truth ; for 
our pulpit is a pulpit of free speech, and our pews are 
equally free to express their opinion. 

We want one who is not afraid to criticise us, and 
who is equally willing to be criticised by us. 

We want one who not only loves the Lord Jesus, 
but is not atraid to say so ; because we have quite a 
number among us, who not only seem ashamed of 
Jesus, but they also appear to love neither God nor 
man ; and we want them converted from the error of 
their ways. In fact, we want a man who expects to 
preach mostly to sinners, one who does not object to 
laboring for souls lost in sin and unbelief; as any one, 
who expects to find us all righteous, will be sadly dis- 
appointed. The main reason for calling a pastor is 
not that he should call the righteous, but sinners to re- 
pentance. 

We want a pastor who is not only a sinner, but who 
is not unwilling to own his personal need of a Saviour. 
If he is so perfect, in his own eyes, that he objects to 
being told of his faults, he had also better remain 
away; for many of our people are very apt to tell a 
man of his faults to his very face, instead of doing so 


84 FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 

behind his back ; and, if the pastor gets angry and 
excited when his sermons are criticised, or takes of- 
fence when his faults are mentioned, we are afraid 
that those of our people who are now frank and hon- 
est, will learn to become back-biters through such over- 
sensitiveness of a pastor. 

We want a pastor who is not afraid to call us sleepy 
hearers, and tell us we need more life, and ought to 
wake up ; and who is perfectly willing to be told that 
he is a sleepy preacher, and ought to wake up, and 
exhibit more life. 

We want a pastor who is willing to tell us when he 
wants to leave, and who is equally willing to be as 
plainly told when we want him to leave us. 

We want a pastor who expects to be well spoken of 
if he prefers to leave, and who expects to speak well 
of us if we wish him to leave us. 

We want a pastor who, if he insists upon preaching 
two poor sermons every Sabbath, when he could give 
us one good one, will not complain of lack of time for 
preparation. 

We have not the least objection to eloquence or 
learning, neither are we averse to a young, middle 
aged, or an old man ; but we do insist upon a live 
MAN of good ability, who is not ashamed of the Gos- 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES, 


85 


pel of Christ, nor afraid of being thought too religious 
or too strict regarding his moral conduct.” 

As an interesting curiosity, the notice was copied 
into a score of periodicals, and soon after the follow- 
ing letter was received. 

‘‘ Dear Brethren : 

As you have freely stated your wants, I will be 
equally plain in writing that I want to become your 
pastor. 

Yours in the blessed Gospel of Jesus, 


JOHN ERNEST.” 


It is perhaps needless to add, that the Rev. John 
Ernest was installed pastor of the Ardenville Church. 

In the mean time, Mr. Woodbury mended very slowly, 
and it was some weeks before he was able to sit up for 
even an hour at any one time. He could converse on 
some common-place subjects : but on any theme requir- 
ing much thought, his ideas refused to flow in their 
usual channel. 



CHAPTER X. 


JACK COMMENCES ONE OF A SERIES OF ADVENTURES. 



ACK,” said Arden, one May morning, “you 


may harness up Fashion, and go after Mr, 


Smith, the carpenter. I want him to commence that 
little summer house he was to build for me ; and here 
is a ten dollar bill to purchase some things which you 
will find marked on this little slip of paper.” 

A few minutes after, Jack was on his way to Mr. 
Smith’s, a distance of some five miles. 

“ I vow,” exclaimed Jack, as the horse struck into 
a smart trot, “that breeching aint exactly safe; but 
I’ll be mighty careful, and I guess Fashion is so gentle 
that I needn’t feel afraid of a smash up.” 

Jack was very careful; but when he had nearly 
reached his destination, in going down a steep hill, 
the breeching parted, allowing the vehicle to strike 
the heels of the horse which, giving a spring, cleared 
himself from the carriage, and darted forward at a 
fearful rate. Jack leaped from the carriage, and start- 


86 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


87 


ed in pursuit. It was a short chase, however ; for at 
the second turn of the road, among some large rocks 
by the side of the highway, the horse lay in awful 
agony with two legs broken, besides other horrible 
bruises. Without a moment’s hesitation. Jack drew 
out an immense pocket knife, which he always car- 
r‘ed, opened a large artery in the horse’s neck, and in 
a few minutes Fashion breathed his last. 

‘‘ Now,” said Jack to himself, ‘‘ I’m in a scrape, if I 
never was before. Mr. Arden will be mad enough to 
kill me, for certain, this time. How he did love that 
horse I And I have killed him. I might have known 
that breeching would break. Yes, it was all my fault, 
and Mr. Arden will make me pay a hundred dollars 
more than I’ve got to settle that bill. But I don’t 
care so much about the money, as I do for the horse 
and the folks. I’'d just got to taking lots of comfort, 
when up comes this storm and blows all my rich cargo 
overboard. ’Twont do for me to go back to Arden- 
ville, anyway, and I’ll streak it for New York, and go 
to sea again. But they’ll catch me before I get there, 
as sure as I’m alive. I have it after all. Lucky thought 
that ! Well ! I shouldn’t wonder if I came out right 
after all. But I must work quick.” 

We will not delay the reader in our narrative by 


88 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


stating here what Jack’s plan was, but follow him as 
he puts it into execution. 

Walking back a few rods to a place where quite a 
large stream of water, called Forest River, crossed the 
road, he proceeded to displace quite a large amount of 
earth and stone, from the bank of the river at the cor- 
ner of the bridge, and, tearing off a couple of small 
pieces from his coat, he hitched them to the said cor- 
ner. 

There,” said Jack to himself, as he surveyed his 
work, there aint a man in all Ardenville, but will 
take his oath that I am drowned. Now for the other 
work.” 

After walking some three or four miles farther from 
Ardenville, he stopped at a small house which answer- 
ed the purpose of both tavern and store. Here he pro- 
duced the ten dollar bill, with which he purchased a 
large hatchet, one dozen fish hooks, a couple of lines, 
some matches, some coarse needles and thread, a tin 
cup, five yards of coarse, shaggy cloth, half a bushel of 
meal, and two pounds of cheese. After making these 
purchases. Jack found himself still in possession of some 
three dollars^ and, with renewed courage, he shoulder- 
ed his load, and started toward Ardenville. He walk- 
ed, however, in that direction, only to the first turn, 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


89 


when, climbing the fence, he travelled, as fast as possi- 
ble, in the opposite direction, and before noon, found 
himself in the centre of Great Forest ; but as he ex- 
pressed it “ about tired to death.” 

“ I wish I had bought a few crackers,” said Jack to 
himself ; “ but I couldn’t think of everything. I’m too 
tired to cook now, and I’m about as hungry as two 
bears. And that puts me in mind that I have neither 
butter, grease, or salt.” 

Jack certainly felt very weary ; but after resting 
a while, and taking a drink from the river, just above 
Lovers ’Falls, he felt so much rested, that he started to 
explore the immediate locality. 

After a search that occupied nearly an hour, he dis- 
covered a spot on which he concluded to erect a house. 
It was about a half mile above Lovers’ Falls, near the 
river bank, where the trees, bushes and briars grew so 
thick that no one, as he thought, would ever attempt 
to penetrate it. Jack carried all his things within a 
few rods of where his dwelling was to be located, and 
then commenced the new work. 

The bushes and briars were so interwoven that he 
was obliged to use both hatchet and knife to make an 
entrance large enough for him to crawl through, not 
doubting that, after proceeding a few yards, he should 


90 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


find some place where there were less rough stones 
and underbrush. Our hero cleared the entrance so 
near the ground, that he was obliged to crawl on his 
hands and knees ; but, as he proceeded, the large stones 
grew thicker and the bushes more dense. He was 
about giving up in despair, when he came to an open- 
ing caused by a large flat rock, some four feet in diam- 
eter. 

“ On that rock,” said Jack, “ I will build my cabin 
according to Scripture ; for I shall be founded upon a 
rock.” 

Jack carried all his possessions to the rock ; but the 
opening was so small, and the way so difficult, that 
he was obliged to perform three journeys before 
every article reached its destination. When all his 
personal property was safely located where he could see 
it while at work, he felt easier, and proceeded to plan 
his dwelling. “Why!” exclaimed young Robinson 
Crusoe, I’m in luck. These rough stones that have 
bothered me so, are the very things. I’ll make a stone 
house of them, and a roof of these bushes that I shall 
have to cut down for my door yard.” 

Half the afternoon was gone, and Jack began to 
think seriously of dinner ; so collecting some dry wood, 
he made a fire upon the rock, and mixing up a large 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


91 


cake of meal and water, he placed it upon a flat stone 
before the fire to cook, and in a short time he made a 
hearty meal of Johnny-cake and cheese. After his 
repast, he cleared a space some ten feet square, includ- 
ing the rock. He then began to construct a suitable 
stone wall around an area of about five feet by eight, 
the flat rock forming one end of the enclosure. Stones 
were plenty, and before night, Jack had raised his wall 
nearly three feet on the sides ; but as he could not 
work well in the dark, he covered the enclosure, tem- 
porarily, with boughs, and made a bed of the same 
material. 

It was now quite dark ; but Jack had no sooner seat- 
ed himself with a piece of Indian meal cake in one hand 
and a bit of cheese in the other, than he plunged into 
a train of deep, serious meditation. 

He tried to see the hand of a special providence in 
the event ; but, whenever he considered the death of 
Fashion, the providential landscape was much obscured 
— outlines quite indistinct. However, he could be 
cured of lying at least, if he half set about it. Yes, he 
would turn over a new leaf, and when he returned to 
Ardenville, should any one point him out as that lying 
Jack Green, he could console himself with the thought 
that God and his own conscience would exonerate him 
from the sin. 


92 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


When the Israelites left Egypt they carried away 
what some hypercritics declare was not rightfully 
theirs. But, as these freedmen had labored without 
pay, “Moses, the man of God,” never seemed to be 
troubled about “spoiling the Egyptians for he be- 
lieved that the laborer was worthy of his hire. As 
Arden was still indebted to Jack, our hero’s peace 
Avas undisturbed by the ten dollars from his employ- 
er. Jack made an earnest prayer for divine aid and 
repeated the twenty-third psalm, wondering if the 
Lord were indeed his Shepherd. He finally decided 
that such was the fact. 

This conclusion seemed naturally to lead him to the 
Lord’s prayer, which he repeated with the full assur- 
ance that when he uttered the words, “ Our Father,” 
he was simply repeating a truism. For the first time 
in his whole life he realized that Christianity was not 
a myth, or a cunningly devised fable, but the great, 
substantial reality of God’s boundless universe. His 
whole being seemed full of the unutterable thoughts 
engendered by the vastness of the theme ; and it was 
not until he had sung, over and over again, very softly, 
but full of feeling, the following hymn, that he finally 
wrapped himseH in the five yards of shaggy cloth, and 
fell asleep upon his bed of soft, green boughs ; 


FORTUl^ES AND MISFORTUNES. 


93 


BEFORE THY THRONE, DEAR LORD, I BEND. 

1 . 

Before Thy throne, dear Lord, I bend, 

Hear me now, my endless Friend, I pray; 

O Father, cleanse my sinful breast. 

And shed Thy heavenly ray ; 

Oh, come, dear Lord, and be my guest, 

Give me Thine own blessed rest, I pray. 

2 . 

Yes, come, dear Lord, on Thee I wait. 

Lead me through the heavenly gate, I pray; 

Oh, richly, Lord, my soul endow. 

Abide with me each day ; 

Ajid while I here before thee bow. 

Bless me. Lord, and bless me now, I pray. 

While Jack is sleeping, it might not be amiss to re- 
mind all those readers who almost invariably skip the 
preface, that although Great Forest is a fictitious 
name, the place is actually located some sixty miles 
north-east of New York City. Years ago the author 
passed through a portion of ‘‘The Devil’s Den,” or 
“Den” as it was called. It was then a wild region, 
and strange stories were told of its dangers, its veno- 
mous reptiles and ferocious beasts. I am not certain, 
but judge that the river did not penetrate the heart of 
the Den, but little more then skirted it, passing 
through what might be called a corner or side of that 
wild region. 


CHAPTER XI- 


jack’s adventures continued. 

T he next morning Jack awoke refreshed, but very 
hungry. On attempting to rise, his head came in 
contact with the roof, and for the first time he recol- 
lected where he was. Crawling out of his den, he re- 
moved the bough roof, and prepared for breakfast, 
which task was soon accomplished, the work consist- 
ing simply in cooking an Indian meal cake. 

After breakfast. Jack resumed work on the walls 
which, by noon, he had raised to the required height 
of six feet on one side and four on the other. He then 
proceeded to roof with green boughs, in such a man- 
ner as to shed rain. 

About dark, our hero had completed his dwelling, 
which, for the benefit of the reader, we will describe. 
The wall was six feet high on one side, and four on 
the other ; which, when covered with boughs, made 
the roof sufficiently slanting to shed rain. In con- 
structing the end walls, an entrance way was left in 
one corner, and at the other end, a small aperture was 
94 


FOBTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


95 


made, on the outside of which an oven was built of flat 
stones. Jack practiced the culinary art in this oven, 
to which was added, soon after, a chimney which, after 
being cemented with clay, was pronounced to be just 
the checker.” The cementing of the chimney gave Jack 
another idea, and that was to cement the walls of the 
whole hut, which idea he carried into practice. The 
clay was mixed with grass which prevented it from 
being washed out so easily by storms, while to break 
the violence of any hard rain, boughs were placed all 
around the edifice. After Jack had completed his 
house, he enlarged the cleared space, in one corner of 
which he piled all the brush to use for fuel when sut 
ficiently dry. A fence around the yard would have 
been useless; as the bushes and brambles were so 
dense, that nothing, the size of a full grown cat, would 
ever be likely to obtrude itself upon the enclosure, 
unless through the small entrance which was always 
kept closed with a thorn bush. 

On Sunday morning, our young Robinson Crusoe 
was about to commence work, when he suddenly recol- 
lected that it was the Sabbath ; whereupon he recited 
one of the Psalms he had committed to memory at the 
Sunday School, ate breakfast, after which he recited 
the Lord’s Prayer, sang a hymn; then started for 


96 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


a long walk, carrying with him a large cake and a 
small piece of cheese ; for be it known to the reader, 
his stock of cheese was very low. He found quite a 
number of locations which he preferred, in many re- 
spects, to his own ; but thinking his hut worth more than 
any locality he had seen, he concluded to remain where 
he was for the present. But he made many important 
discoveries which he thought might be beneficial to 
him. After returning home at night, he sang a few 
Sabbath School hymns, and retired to bed. 

On Monday morning, Jack arose, and taking his 
hatchet, proceeded to fell a small tree, of which he 
manufactured a queer shaped wooden shovel,with which 
he dug a well in a small hollow about fifteen feet 
from his hut. The digging of the well was the work of 
but a few hours, and the quality of the water was so 
much superior to that from the river, that our hero felt 
he was amply paid for his trouble; besides,” said 
Jack to himself, I may not want to go out of these 
brambles to get it.” 

The five yards of shaggy cloth, our young Crusoe 
had cut into two pieces of equal length, and sewing 
them together, a warm blanket was formed, six feet 
wide by seven and a half in length. 

The half bushel of meal was about gone, and taking 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


97 


the empty bag, Jack wended his way towards the little 
tavern store. When he appeared in sight of the build- 
ing, he proceeded very cautiously, but seeing no one 
in sight, he entered the store and made his purchases, 
which consisted of a bushel of meal, a bag of salt, some 
nails and a clothes line. 

^‘That was a pretty tough affair at Forest River 
Bridge,” remarked the vender of goods to Jack, as the 
latter was making his purchases. “ I suppose you 
have heard of it.” 

“ What affair do you mean?” asked Jack, his face 
turning rather red ; for he had arrived at very definite 
conclusions as to what affair was referred to. 

“ I mean,” replied the host, ‘‘ the horse that was 
killed, and the awful murder.” 

O, yes,” replied Jack, with great innocence ;” you 
mean the horse that belonged in Ardenville. Let me 
see, who was it that was with the horse ?” 

“A boy named Jack Green. It was a strange affair 
to find the horse’s throat cut and the driver gone.” 

“ Havn’t they heard anything of him yet?” 

‘‘ No, sir ! and they’ll never hear from him again; for 
he’s drowned fast enough. But I don’t think they’ll 
ever catch the murderer. However, I think Mr. Ar- 
den was very generous to offer so large a reward ; but 
I tell you that fellow is too cute to be caught.” 


98 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


Jack shouldered his meal and started for the door, 
when the host asked if he were going towards Arden- 
ville. 

‘‘Yes,” replied Jack. 

“ Hold on, then ; my son is going that way in a few 
minutes.” 

But Jack, thanking him for his offer, said he always 
struck cross lots, after arriving at the first turn, and 
without stopping for the son, he started off at a slow 
pace. As he reached the first turn in the road, how- 
ever, he struck what he afterwards termed “ a two- 
forty gait,” and soon after found himself surrounded 
by the trees of Great Forest. 

“ That man didn’t like my looks,” said Jack to him- 
self ; “ and it won’t do for me to go near that store 
again. My half-bushel of meal and two pounds of 
cheese, lasted me a little over a week. At that rate, 
this bushel will last say three weeks, and yet I must 
make it hold out three or four months, and I can do it. 
I have got left — let me see — one dollar and forty-six 
cents ; but that will carry me through.” 

On arriving at his hut, our second edition of Robin- 
son Crusoe cooked cakes enough for three meals, to 
which, the addition of a little salt, in the estimation of 
the cook, added much excellent flavor. After dinner 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


99 


he cut a fish pole, and put his fishing tackle in com- 
plete order. 

The next morning, although it looked like the May 
storm, Jack went forth armed to the teeth with fishing 
implements. He dropped his line into the nearest 
water ; but the scaly fellows did not seem inclined to 
bite. Not disheartened, however, he continued his 
piscatorial labors until a famous bite partially reward- 
ed his. efforts. He continued to have nibbles and bites ; 
but still no fish were caught. 

I’ll try for smaller fish,’’ said Jack to himself ; and 
he proceeded to fasten to his line a small hook. Scarce- 
ly had the bait reached the depth of a foot, when a 
fish of good size was hooked, and, in triumph, pulled 
to the shore. Our young hero soon discovered that 
his most diminutive hooks were none too small for the 
largest fish, and after fishing till noon, he possessed a 
string of fish large enough to last a couple of days. 
He then went to the hut, and after dressing the fish, 
sprinkled salt over them, and cooked enough for a few 
meals. 

The next day a cold, hard storm set in, which lasted 
for a week; but our young Crusoe, in his warm hut, 
bid defiance to the weather. 

“ If I only had a book or two,” said Jack to him- 


100 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


self, “I could take solid comfort ; only I can’t have 
Ella to talk with, nor hear from Mr. Woodbury, 
Arden and ’Squire Benson. Well, one thing I 
know : the Lord is good and my affliction — no ! my 
just punishment is only a proof of his love for me ; 
for he is showing me how terribly he hates my worst 
enemy — my wicked habit of lying. Let’s see, what 
is that hymn which w^e used to sing at church : — 

‘ God moves in a mysterious way 
His wonders to perform ; 

He plants hip footsteps in the sea, 

And rides upon the storm.’ 

Yes ; and he is present in Great Forest, and who 
knows but to perform one of his wonders upon me.” 

Since writing the foregoing, there appeared in the 
Pawtucket (R. J.) Daily Times, an article, from a 
Danbury (Ct.) paper, concerning a ferocious beast, 
which, in the spring of 1891, came from the Devil’s 
Den, and made havoc with hogs, sheep and dogs 
of the farmers who organized to hunt the nocturnal 
marauder. Great Forest is still a wdld region, and 
the description, in this work, is underdrawn. One 
difficulty in endeavoring to rid the Den of its dan- 
gerous occupants, is that its caverns are intricate 
and possessed of so many outlets, only an army 
could corner the objectionable inhabitants. 


CHAPTER XII. 


AEDEN LEAENS WHBEE THE MUEDEREE IS SECEETED. 



NE morning as Arden and his wife were eating 


breakfast, the former suddenly laid down his 
knife and fork, and leaned back in his chair, as though 
in deep thought. 

“ What are you thinking of?” asked Julia. 

“ I can’t help thinking,” replied Arden, “ that Jack 
is still alive.” 

And I have often thought so, too,” added Julia. 

But if alive, where can he be ?” 

“That is a difficult question to answer, Charles. 
But suppose you were to borrow Brother Woodbury’s 
horse, ride over the road, and make inquiries.” 

“ A good idea, Julia ! and if you will accompany me, 
I will go to-day. I ought to have done so before.” 

“ True • but then we all took it for granted that he 
was thrown into the river and drowned.” 

“Well, there is something very mysterious about 
the whole affair.” 


101 


102 


FORTUNJIS AND MISFOKTtJNES. 


An hour after, Arden and Julia, seated in Mrs. 
Woodbury’s carriage, were passing rapidly along 
towards the scene of Jack’s disaster. When they ar- 
rived in the vicinity of the late catastrophe, Arden 
alighted to make inquiries at the nearest dwelling. 

‘‘ Can you give me any information,” asked Arden, 
“ concerning the late murder near the river ?” 

‘‘ Mr. Murphy lives in the next house,” replied the 
old lady, who answered his knock. 

“ I mean the murder near the river,” said Arden, 
raising his voice, perceiving the woman to be a little 
deaf. 

‘‘ Yes,” replied the old lady, smiling and nodding, 
‘‘ Mr. Murphy lives near the river. You can’t miss the 
way ; it’s the first house the other side.” 

“I’m much obliged to you,” said Arden, as he re- 
turned to his carriage, laughing in spite of his solemn 
mission. 

At the next house where he called, a lady some 
forty-five years of age, came to the door. 

“ I want to gain some further information concern- 
ing the murder that was committed near the river,” 
said Arden. 

“Oh ! bless me !” exclaimed the lady, “ Do you 
write for the papers ?” 

“ No,” replied Arden; “I’m not a reporter.” 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


103 


“ Aint you, thougli ? Well, I thought you looked 
like them ere chaps that writes about marriages and 
deaths, and murders and sich like, for them plaguy 
newspapers. But then newspapers is kinder handy 
things, after all.’* 

‘^Yes,” replied Arden, “ a good family paper is very 
useful. But can you tell me anything about the mur- 
der?” 

^^Oh ! bless me I You are trying to get the reward, 
aint you? Well, I do hope you will catch the feller. 
Now I was saying to Sally this morning, says I, ‘ Sally, 
what’ll you bet but we shall find out about that awful 
murder,’ says I. And Sally says to me, says she — ” 

“ I’m not seeking for the reward,” broke in Arden ; 
“ I’m the man who offered the reward.” 

^^Oh! bless me! If that don't beat all! You’re 
the man he worked for. Now I wonder what Sally 
WILL say; for, says I to Sally, says I, ‘Sally, you mark 
what I tell you, says I ; for I’ll — ” 

“I’m in somewhat of a hurry,” broke in Arden, 
“Can't you tell me anything about the affair?” 

^^Oh ! bless me ! You took a great liking for that 
boy ; did’nt you ? Well, it’s just so, says I to Sally, 
says I, ‘ the things we loves most, is the soonest to’ — ” 
“Is your husband at home?” 


104 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


No, he’s gone to Ardenville. As he started this 
morning, says I to Sally, says I — ” 

“ And you can’t give me any information concerning 
the murder ?” 

^‘Oh ! bless me ! I want there. But as I was say- 
ing to Sally when I first heard of it, ^ Sally,’ says I — ” 

“ Good day,” said Arden, “ I am sorry to give you 
so much trouble.” 

^‘Oh ! bless me !” murmured the lady, as Arden 
left the yard ; “ he’s a proper nice man ; but he’s in an 
awful hurry.” 

‘‘ I think,” said Arden, as he resumed his journey, 
“ I think we will drive, at once, to the little tavern.” 

Arriving i^t the tavern-store, where Jack had made 
his purchases, Arden and Julia alighted, and after or- 
dering the horse groomed and fed, they passed into 
the house where sundry smells that issued from the 
culinary department indicated that preparations were 
being made for dinner. 

Arden informed the host that he would have dinner 
for two, and then proceeded to tell him who he was, 
and the object of his visit, adding that any informa- 
tion concerning the murder, would be liberally paid 
for. 

“ Now,” said the landlord, who had an eye to busi- 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


105 


ness, “ what would you pay for information that would 
lead to the detection of the murderer ?” 

“ Five hundred dollars !” 

“Now, you don’t mean it, do you?” 

“Yes, sir !” replied Arden. “ I am in earnest about 
this thing.” 

“ Then I’m your man I” 

“ Did the murderer stop here ?” 

“ Yes, sir ! I’m satisfied that I put my eye on the 
identical chap.” 

“ Can it be possible?” 

“ Nothing surer ! You see the paper says he start- 
ed from Ardenville about eight o’clock. Now, Forest 
River, where it crosses the road, is about half way to 
Ardenville, which is seven miles from here. Now, ah 
lowing one half hour going to Forest River and getting 
murdered, &c., and then allowing one hour more for 
the murderer to reach here, would make it half past 
nine o’clock, which was just about the time he arrived, 
when my boy waited on him at the counter.” 

“ What did he purchase ?” 

“ Half a bushel of meal, two pounds of cheese, five 
yards of cloth, a hatchet, and some fishing tackle, &c.” 

“ And you supposed him to be the murderer ?” 

“ I’m certain of it — dead sure !” 


106 


FOBTtJKES AND MISFORTUNES. 


‘‘And you think he made the purchases to blind 
you ?” 

“ No, sir-ree !” replied the landlord. “ He’s camped 
111 Great Forest, and furthermore, he’s been here the 
second time, just one week ago to-day.” 

“ What did he purchase the second time ?” 

“ Bushel of meal, bag of salt, &c.” 

“ How old a man ?” 

“ Well, I should say twenty : but Jim says not more 
than fifteen. He’s yoimg in years, but old in sin. I’ll 
bet you.” 

“ I doubt not he is ; but how did he look ?” 

“Well, Jim, my son, says he looked like a regular 
thief ; and I must say that I never saw a worse looking 
phiz. Murder and robbery was printed all over it. I 
should have followed him ; but, the fact is, I didn’t 
feel exactly safe, tagging after that cut-throat. But 
Jim, who was out in the lot, saw him scudding like 
sixty for the forest.” 

“ But why camp in the forest ?” 

“ He’s waiting for chances. The fact is, he didn’t 
make so big a haul as he expected, and he’s waiting for 
another victim. He’s a rough looking customer, I tell 
you. Well, I never did see villain marked out quite 
so plain on a man’s countenance before. I do believe 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES 


107 


that nothing would suit him better than to cut a man’s 
throat from ear to ear.” 

I must say that I am greatly puzzled by your in- 
formation. I’ll have Great Forest searched any way. 
Sy the way, what kind of money did he have?” 

He gave my son a ten dollar bill.” 

“ A ten dollar bill !” 

“ Yes. Jim, where are you ? Where is that ten dol- 
lar bill, which that chap gave you ?” 

You mean that cut-throat feller?” asked Jim, com- 
ing in at that moment. 

“ Yes ; that young scamp that’s camped in the For- 
est.” 

“ Here it is.” 

“ Heavens !” exclaimed Arden ; “ that is the very 
bill I gave the boy who was murdered. And now, my 
good friends, if you will help me find this base wretch, 
you shall receive the five hundred dollars.” 

“Jerusalem!” shouted Jim. “ Fm ready ; only I tell 
you, he’s an ugly customer, and if we don’t go well 
armed, he’ll give some of us hail (^olumby.” 

After conversing on the subject a short time longer, 
Arden informed Julia of the information he had re- 
ceived, and as soon as dinner was over, they rode back 
to Ardenville, to make preparations for a thorough 


108 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


search of Great Forest for the murderer; both Arden 
and Julia being fully convinced that Jack had been 
foully dealt with. 



/ 


CHAPTER XIII. 


PIBST APPBAEANOE OP JACK’S GHOST. 

J ACK manufactured a few boards by felling small 
trees, and splitting them with the help of his 
hatchet and some wooden wedges. He then made a 
few boxes to hold his provisions, &c. He felt, how- 
ever, much in want of a dish in which to cook his fish, 
which he was obliged to bake on a smooth flat stone. 
He also thought a little grease or butter would add to 
the flavor of his viands. He therefore cut a number of 
oak and walnut saplings to make bows of ; but in or- 
der to become the possessor of a good article, he found 
that he must wait for the wood to season. However, 
he made a number of indifferent bows of green wood, 
and found them better than he expected 

Having much leisure time, our young Crusoe prac- 
ticed shooting at a mark. Setting up two targets a few 
yards apart, and taking some twenty or thirty arrows, 
he would station himself at one target and fire all the 
arrows at the other ; then walking to the place where 

109 


no 


FOBTUNES AND MISFOBTUNES. 


nearly all the shafts had fallen, he would fire them 
all back again. 

After practicing a few days, Jack considered him- 
self a tolerable marksman, and taking his best bow, 
and a suflBcient number of arrows, he started on a 
grand Indian hunt. 

It was not long before he heard the sweet notes of a 
robin as he carolled his morning song, and Jack con- 
cluded to exercise his skill in archery upon Robin Red- 
breast. But when he caught sight of Robin, he found, 
to his chagrin, that although near enough for even an 
indifferent gunner, he was much farther from the game 
than when he fired at his target ; besides, the bird pre- 
sented a surface of not more than a tenth part of the 
area of said targeh Somewhat crest-fallen our young 
archer concluded that a great deal more practice would 
be necessary before he could hope to meet with much 
success in hunting with a bow and arrow ; but still, not 
entirely discouraged, he continued to practice during 
his leisure hours. 

One day, as Jack was rambling through the woods, 
a rabbit suddenly started up before him, and not long 
after, he heard the whiz of a partridge, as it flew 
through a neighboring thicket. 

‘AVhew !’' exclaimed Robinson Crusoe, Jr. “Why 


FOBTUNES AND mSFOBTUNES. 


Ill 


didn’t I think of snares before? I’ll set some this 
blessed day.” 

Without delay a fish line was produced, and in the 
course of the afternoon, quite a number of snares were 
finished in localities which game would be likely to 
visit. The next day Jack avoided the vicinity of the 
snares ; but the day after, he paid them a visit, when, 
to his joy, a pair of partridges rewarded him for his 
labors, and carrying his game to the hut, he proceed- 
ed to dress it. 

“ Now,” thought he, “ if I only had a kettle or some 
dish to make a soup or stew in, I should be in trim ; 
but as it is, I must be contented with a broil on a flat 
stone.” 

After cooking one of the partridges, our young hero 
sprinkled a little salt over it, and taking a large John- 
ny cake, he made a very hearty meal. He was com- 
pletely surprised at the excellent flavor of his game, 
and did not finish breakfast until the partridge was 
finished also. He then dressed the remaining fowl for 
the next day. 

Nearly every day, the sight of a partridge or rabbit, 
caught in one of his snares, greeted the eyes of Jack, 
and as fish of one kind or another abounded, to use his 
own words, he ‘‘ fared sumptuously every day.” 


112 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


But Jack’s wearing apparel was totally unlike tkat 
worn by the Children of Israel during their journey 
of forty years in the wilderness ; and as our hero sur- 
veyed his clothes from day to day, his mind was filled 
with anxious thoughts for the future. His boots, es- 
pecially, were too much worn to afford his feet the pro- 
tection which they so much needed while passing over 
the rough paths of the forest. 

“ Now,” thought Jack, “if I only had that pair of 
boots I left in Mr. Woodbury’s barn, I could bid defi- 
ance to all these rough ways I travel so often ; but I 
haven’t got them. Yet, why not get them? I have it. 
I'll go this very night, and not only will I lay hold of 
them identical boots, but I’ll carry off some of my other 
things.” 

That night young Crusoe started for Ardenville, 
which he reached about eleven o’clock, and proceeded 
directly to Mr. W oodbury's stable. The barn door 
was locked ; but he soon effected an entrance through a 
side scuttle. 

Jack spoke to the horse, and patted him upon the 
neck, whereupon Prince, (for that was the horse’s 
name,) instantly recognized his old keeper, and neighed 
loud enough to wake the seven sleepers. 

Now, the fact was, that the new boy who took Jack’s 


FOETUNES AKD fflSFOETUNES. 


113 


place was no great lover of horse flesh, and as he spent 
a large portion of his time at the bowling alley, or 
drinking saloon. Prince often went without his supper. 
It so happened, that on the very night of Jack’s visit, 
Prince had waited until after eleven o’clock for his 
hay and oats, which he longed for with all the appetite 
of a hearty feeder. Our young hero instantly discern- 
ed the sad condition of Prince’s inner man, or rather 
inner horse, and vowing vengeance, should he ever 
meet the new boy, he supplied the animal with his 
fill of hay and grain, and with the more speed, as 
Prince seemed determined, by his loud neighing, to in- 
form the whole population of Ardenville that he was 
in great need of fodder. 

Now it also happened that the new boy, who was 
returning home, heard the immense volume of sound 
that issued from the stentorian lungs of Prince, and 
fearing his neglect of the horse might be discovered, 
he proceeded to enter the barn. As he neared Prince’s 
stable, he thought he heard a sound as though the 
quadruped was masticating his food, and, in order to 
learn what it all meant, he entered the stall to exam- 
ine the contents of the manger. He had, however, 
hardly entered the stall, when he was enclosed in the 
strong arms of Jack, and thrown violently to the floor. 


114 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


‘‘ Mercy ! mercy ! ” cried the new boy. 

“ You scamp ! ” muttered Jack through his teeth, 
“ do you know who I am?” 

“ Yes,” replied the boy. Oh ! have mercy on 
me.” 

And do you mean to starve that horse to death? 
IVe come and find him unfed ; and if you don’t feed 
him after this, don’t you think I ought to give you 
such a flogging that you can’t put your finger on 
any part of your body that isn’t black and blue? ” 

“Yes; but, oh, mercy! mercy!” pleaded the 
new boy, “ I’ll never do so again — never ! ” 

“ I have a great mind to choke you a little as it 
is ; but ril let you off this time. Now, you scamp, 
tell me who I am.” 

“You are Jack Green — I mean Jhck Green’s 
ghost,” replied the new boy in tones of fear. 

“ You’d stake your life on that,” replied Jack. 
“And now just clear right out, lock the door and 
scud. And, above all, see that you never let Prince 
go without his breakfast, dinner, or supper, and 
especially his supper.” 

“ I will ! I will certainly ! ” cried the boy. “ I’ll 
give him all he wants just as certain as I live.” 

“Clear out, then !” muttered Jack,as he grasped the 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


115 


frightened boy, and applied a smart push, to accelerate 
his movements. 

The new boy left the barn, locked the door, andthe 
next moment. Jack heard the sound of rapidly retreat- 
ing footsteps, as the frightened youth left the yard on 
a keen run for home. 

Jack secured the boots and a large piece of mosquito 
netting, and proceeded to search a box full of old books 
and papers which he had collected to sell for paper 
rags. He had taken from the box an old Bible, minus 
its cover, and an old book on elocution, when he 
thought he heard a noise at the door, and, the next 
moment it opened, when he beheld Mrs. Woodbury’s 
cook standing in the doorway with a lantern in her 
hand. 

The place where our young hero stood was so thor- 
oughly illuminated, that the intruder instantly recog- 
nized the features of the murdered Jack Green, and 
giving a shrill scream, she dropped the lantern, and, as 
the ghost expressed it, made tracks for the house 
about all the spare time she could get.” 

Maud, who had sent the cook to ascertain the cause 
of the noises at the barn, heard the frightful screech 
of her messenger, and ran to the door just as the fright- 
ened woman entered, who instantly threw her arms 


116 


FOKTUNES AITD MISFORTUNES. 


around Maud, inclosing Ler in a very affectionate em- 
brace. 

“ What is the matter ?” cried Maud. 

“ Oh, dear! oh, dear. Jack I Jack is — oh, dear, how 
dreadful !” 

What do you mean ?” 

“ Oh, I seed him just as plain as anything. Oh dear, 
how dreadful!” 

“ What is so dreadful ? Explain yourself.” 

Here the cook gave another shrill scream as she 
placed Maud between herself and the door, and cried 
out, He’s out there. Shut the door, quick. ” 

What’s at the door, you foolish thing?” cried Maud. 

Are you crazy?” 

‘‘Jack !*’ shrieked the cook. ‘‘Didn’t you hear him?” 

Maud broke into low, derisive laughter as she saw 
Grimalkin quietly walking back and forth in the en, 
trance, and, at each turn, rubbing against the door 
which caused a jarring sound. 

“ it is only the cat,” said ]\[aud. “ Where are your 

eyes ?” 

“ Oh, dear ! I thought it was Jack. 

“ What do you mean by talking about Jack ?” asked 
Maud, as she closed the door. 

“ Oh, I’ve seed him,” replied the cook. “ I seed 
him as plain as I see you at this blessed minute.” 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


117 


“ Are you in your senses ?” 

“ Yes, marm ; I’ve got all my seventeen senses about 
me, and I seed him standing in the corner of the barn, 
and looking right straight at me.” 

“Why, you foolish woman,” said Maud, “You 
couldn’t have seen Jack ; for he was murdered.” 

“ I didn’t mean I seed Jack himself ; but I seed his 
spirit.” 

“ Saw your grandmother 1” 

“ No, I didn’t neither ; I seed the ghost.” 



CHAPTER XIV, 


MR. WOODBURY, IN A FIT OF INSANITY, LEAVES 
ARDENVILLE. 

A S Spring opened, Mr. Woodbury began to show 
signs of returning strength ; but his mind seemed 
more affected than before. The singular remarks he 
often made, were a source of great anxiety to Maud, 
who became fearful of his becoming a confirmed luna- 
tic. He always retired very late, and rose with the 
faintest glimmering of dawn, while, during the period 
he lay in bed, he seemed to sleep but little. 

On the morning after Jack’s visit, being also the 
morning subsequent to the day Arden and his wife 
called at the little tavern-store, the pastor arose and 
proceeded to the barn, and saddling the horse, he rode 
away. About an hour after, the new boy came to the 
house and inquired for the horse. 

‘‘ Isn’t he in the stable ?” asked Maud. 

“ No marm; and I found the door wide open.’' 

118 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


119 


‘‘ Then Prince is stolen,” cried Maud. ‘‘ What will 
my husband think ? I allowed the door to remain 
open last night, and it is my fault if the horse is nevei 
found.” 

What time was the door opened ?” asked the boy, 
in a confused manner. 

‘‘ Nearly midnight. We heard noises at the barn, 
and the cook went to ascertain the cause, and became 
frightened at what she took to be Jack’s ghost.” 

“ Did SHE see him?” asked the boy in a hoarse whis- 
per. 

“Why!” exclaimed Maud, “how you look. Are 
you frightened?” 

“ Mrs. Woodbury,” replied the new boy, “I’ve con- 
cluded to give up my place here. That barn is haunt- 
ed.” 

“ Are YOU crazy, too ?” 

“No marm ; I’m not crazy a single bit ; but I saw 
Jack last night, and heard him speak just as plain as 
I can hear you.” 

The new boy here related some of the incidents of 
the previous evening, omitting those parts that seemed 
derogatory to his own reputation. 

“ Strange !” exclaimed Maud. “ Strange I I can’t 
imagine what it all means. It does seem as though 
you and the cook were possessed.” 


120 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


Mounted upon Prince, Mr. Woodbury rode along, 
bowing and smiling to all be met. 

“ Can you tell me,” be asked of a boy be chanced to 
meet, “ can you tell me where the church is located?” 

The boy stared ; but, making no reply, the question 
was repeated. 

“ He’s crazy as a loon,” said the boy to himself ; 
but seeing that a reply was expected, he pointed out 
the location of the house of worship. 

‘‘ And can you also inform me in which house Mr. 
Woodbury resides ?” 

The boy was taken all aback by this interrogatory; 
but replied to the question as well as he was able. 

“ Thank you,” said Mr. Woodbury ; and if I ever 
visit Ardenville again, I shall certainly call at his wife’s 
mansion.” 

The lunatic followed the road till he came to Great 
Forest, when he passed directly into its intricate mazes, 
and an hour after, came to the pond above Lovers’ 
Falls. Without halting, he urged Prince into the 
water, intending to swim him to the opposite 
shore ; but, after going a few yards, the horse wheeled 
round and swam back to the place where he entered 
the stream. This operation was performed half a 
dozen times, when Jack, who was all the while watch- 


FOKTXTNBS AND MISFOBTUNES. 


121 


ing from the opposite shore, stripped off his clothes, 
tied them in a bundle, and placing them on his head, 
swam across the sheet of water, and, a few minutes 
after, had resumed his garments and approached the 
pastor. 

“ Good morning, Jack,” said Mr. Woodbury, dis- 
mounting and extending his hand. How do you do 
this fine day?” 

“Very well indeed,” replied Jack, who instantly 
discerned the condition oi the minister’s intellect. “I’m 
in first rate health. Are you well ?” 

“Yes, Jack; my health is fair; but I understand 
that Mr. Woodbury’s health has not been as good since 
his marriage. Between you and me, Jack, Mrs. Wood- 
bury doesn’t love her husband as much as he could 
wish ; and yet he loves her better than his life.” 

“Yes,” replied Jack; “I think he loves her better 
than everything else.” 

“ There, Jack, you are mistaken ; for he loves his 
religion far better than he does his wife ; otherwise 
there need never have been any trouble between them. 
By the way. Jack, they told me you were dead ; but 
from present appearances, I should hardly judge you 
to be.” 

“ I guess I aint quite yet. But where are you going 
this morning?” 


122 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES, 


“ To tell tlie truth, I was on the point of visiting 
Italy ; and when you arrived, I was endeavoring to 
swim my horse to France, and pass through Paris on 
my way thither.” 

“ That’s some little ways for a horse to swim.” 

“I am aware of that, Jack ; but then were we to 
meet with no adverse winds or storms, we could make 
the journey in a half hour at most. That grove which 
we behold on the opposite bank of this mighty Atlantic, 
lies within one mile of Havre.” 

“ Does it, though ?” 

“ Yes. 1 know it as well as though I had seen it a 
thousand times. But, Jack, have you anything where- 
with to refresh the inner man. ? This morning ride has 
given me a keen appetite.” 

‘‘ Come with me, then, and we will breakfast to- 
gether.” 

Are you married and keeping house ?” 

“Well, I keop house, but I aint married yet.” 

“ Let us shake hands, my good friend, and I will 
give you some advice in regard to matrimony. Never 
marry a woman richer than yourself. The great and 
good Franklin once said that a friend of his married 
a woman worth eighteen pence, while he possessed but 
twelve ; and every time a dispute occurred, the wife 
always threw the odd sixpence in his very teeth.” 


FOBTinraS AND MISFORTUNES. 


123 


“ That wasn’t just the thing.” 

“ No, Jack ; those six pennies completely annihila- 
ted the peace of the bridegroom.” 

‘‘ That was mighty bad.” 

“ Yes, my friend ; a little thing can destroy a man’s 
comfort for life ; but it takes a great many important 
items to make him happy. One fool can pull down 
more than ten wise men can build up. Wisdom, how- 
ever, is better than weapons of war ; but one sinner 
destroyeth much good.” 

Mr. Woodbury mounted Prince, Jack led the way, 
and crossing the stream at a shallow place, they soon 
found themselves in the vicinity of the hut. 

Jack went to his domicile, and soon returned with 
a roasted partridge, a trout, some cakes, and a cup of 
water. 

“ I can’t set so good a table as you’ve been used to,” 
said Jack ; “ but I give you the best I’ve got.” 

“ My good friend,” replied Mr. Woodbury, “ there 
was never, in my humble opinion, a truer gentleman 
than the Apostle Paul ; and he always ate what was 
placed before him, asking no questions for con- 
science’sake. But when such fare as this is offered 
me, I cannot do less than express my thanks to you, 


124 


FOBTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


and especially to the Giver of every good and every 
perfect gift.” 

After asking a blessing, Mr. Woodbury commenced 
eating with an evident relish. 

‘‘ My friend,” said the minister, ‘‘ it is a true saying 
that most men live to eat, though we occasionally meet 
with solitary instances of individuals who eat to live. 
Let me advise you, however, never to become so de- 
based as to be classed among those whose god is their 
belly. The heart is what we should be most careful 
of. Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his right- 
eousness, and all other needed blessings will be added. 
Recollect that we are not commanded to abstain from 
food and drink, or to make ourselves worse than in- 
fidels, by neglecting to provide especially for those of 
our own households; but we are very wisely told 
to SEEK FIRST the kingdom, or rather to make that the 
prominent search of life.” 

“ I’m kinder ’fraid,” remarked Jack, ‘‘ that them sort 
o’ people aint particular numerous round here.” 

‘‘ Ha ! ha ! ha ! Well, Jack, they are not often seen 
in large numbers at any one time ; yet their existence 
is a well established fact ; and I am always pained to 
meet with a person who expresses serious doubts on 
that point. Our Heavenly Father made us, and we 


FOKTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


125 


OTight to have some confidence in the workmanship of 
Him who doeth all things after the counsel of his own 
will.” 

“ Well, I used to think people want, as a general 
thing, any more honest than the law would allow ; but, 
within a few months, I’ve made up my mind that there 
are some mighty good people in the land of the liv- 
mg. 

‘‘ And what produced your change of mind ?” 

‘‘Well, the fact is, I got acquainted with ’Squire 
Benson’s folks, and Mr. Arden’s folks, and another 
man I wont name, and little Ella, and — and — ” 

“ Why, my good friend, your tears remind me of the 
last time I saw Ella ; for when I mentioned your name, 
she cried as though her little heart would break.” 

“ Did she?” asked Jack, while the tears increased 
rapidly. 

“ Yes ; and I think you had better visit Arden ville, 
and tell little Ella and the rest of the people, that you 
are not yet dead.” 

After breakfast Jack took the clothes line, and ty- 
ing one end round the horse’s neck and the other to a 
tree, left Prince to feed upon the little patches of grass 
that grew all around. 

Not knowing what might happen. Jack took his 


126 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


fishing tackle, meaning to secure as many fish as he 
could conveniently. Mr. W oodbury followed him and 
seemed much interested in the operation of angling. 
A tolerable number of fish, of various kinds, were 
caught, and Jack carried them to his hut. 

In the afternoon. Jack tried various indirect ways to 
induce Mr. Woodbury to return home; but all to no 
purpose. As it grew late .in the day, the former felt 
alarmed, and determined to alter his tactics ; and told 
the pastor, plainly, that he ought to start for home at 
once, or he would be unable to return that night. 

“ I’m not thinking of a journey back before morn- 
ing,” replied Mr. Woodbury, ‘‘unless, indeed, I have 
already worn out my welcome.” 

“ I should Ifee to have you stop with me a month,” 
replied Jack ; “ but I’m afraid the folks will be dread- 
fully worried about you.” 

“ My friend, I might reply in common terms, ‘ let 
them worry but such is not the reply of a true disci- 
ple of Him who wept over his enemies in Jerusalem, 
when he exclaimed, ‘ O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that 
killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent 
unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy chil- 
dren together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens un- 
der her wings, and ye would not.’ No, my good friend, 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


127 


I am truly sorry if any one is made unhappy l»y my 
protracted absence ; but, when I think of the kindness 
you have ever manifested towards me, I feel that I 
would live with you among these rocks and trees, and 
you shall be paid for it, if I am ever able to do so.” 

The tears again gathered in J ack’s eyes, in spite of 
all his efforts to restrain them, and he fully resolved, let 
what would come, to take care of his guest that night 
at least. 

‘‘ My good friend,” continued the pastor, ‘‘ do you 
see that rough, shaggy tree ? Beneath that rough ex- 
terior lies the most valuable wood of this forest. That 
walnut tree reminds me of those persons who, though 
rough and unpolished, are possessed of hearts of great 
worth. Why, we delve in the very dirt for gold and 
silver.” 

^^YeSo” added Jack, ^^taint the bark, the dirt nor the 
shell, but what is inside. 

The miners dig for precious ore, 

Through musty books the savants pore, 

The squirrel gnaws the bitter shell, 

For snug within the kernels dwell. 

Thy search for truth and good begin, 

And ne’er forget thy soul within.” 

Our hero’s production was not especially worthy of 
commendation ; but his guest wished to encourage : — 


128 


FOBTUNES AND MISFOBTUNES. 


“Bravo! bravo!” exclaimed Mr. Woodbury. “If 
you continue this system of instruction, I shall become 
your student ; for I realize my need of such wise 
counsel. But is it not growing late ?” 

“ No,” replied Jack. “ The sun is hid by that great 
hill in the west ; but it will not be sunset for an hour.” 

“ Sunset ! What a beautiful sight as we behold the 
great orb of day sinking behind the western horizon, 
illuminating tree and hill top, and even long after the 
great luminary is lost to our view, its rays are reflected 
by the clouds of heaven. So the good man, who has 
been a bright and shining light in the world, as he de- 
scends into the valley of the shadow of death, always 
leaves behind him the twilight of his glory. Thus, in 
the night of death, there is often light from the depart- 
ed Christian, to illuminate our path.” 

Soon after sundown. Jack secured the horse in an- 
other locality, that he might obtain better pasture, and 
then, for the first time, took his visitor to his hut. Mr. 
Woodbury seemed a little puzzled at the novel way of 
entering the enclosure on his hands and knees, and 
when they stepped into the hut itself, he was no less 
surprised at its novel and very primitive appearance. 

“ You have a singular abode,” said Mr. Woodbury. 
“ And do you reside entirely alone ?” 


FOKTUNES AND MISFOETUNES. 


129 


“All alone,” replied Jack; “and there is where I 
sleep.” 

“ That hay looks nice and warm, my good friend ; 
but I really' think you need a trifle more furniture. It 
does seem to me that a few articles I could mention, 
would be extremely useful to you.” 

“ I certainly wish I had more on your account ; but, 
as for me, I kinder like it, though sometimes I wish 
for a great many things.” 

“ Well, well, my good friend, I am truly glad that 
your needs are so few ; for you will always be the hap- 
pier for it.” 

“Yes,” added Jack, “for 

He can whistle 
Who wants but little.” 

“ That is a golden proverb,” said Mr. Woodbury, 
“ and if you should ever acquire great- wealth, don’t al- 
low your memory to fail you in nallin^r to mind that 
prece^^ ” 

•It is growing dark pretty fast,” said Jack, “ and 
I think we had better eat and get ready to go to bed.” 

“ Thank you, my good friend ; I am of your manner 
of thinking. I usually retire about midnight, and rise 
with the sun ; but to-night, after the fatigue of the 
day, I feel exceedingly like lying upon the couch of 


130 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


slumber. Sleep I number among the greatest of earth- 
ly blessings. It shuts the good man’s door against the 
cares of the world. Not wholly, I grant; for in 
dreams we are still reminded of the fact that we are 
dwellers upon the earth.” 

Jack had materially improved his sleeping accom- 
modations by constructing a rough bedstead, the legs 
of which were made of four crotched stakes driven into 
the ground, leaving the crotch on each some two feet 
from the floor. Reaching from crotch to crotch, and 
resting within them, were four strong saplings, and 
traversing the saplings were some twenty smaller poles, 
on which had been spread nearly a foot in depth of 
hay. 

During the first two weeks of his abode in Great 
Forest, our young Crusoe had been put to considera- 
ble discomfort and inconvenience by the amount of 
moisture that readily found its way into the cabin dur- 
ing every shower that occurred; but finding on the 
banks of the river, some very long, tough grass, he gath- 
ered a quantity sufficient to thatch the whole roof of 
his domicile, after which, to use his own expression, 
he dwelt in safety under his own grape vine and big 
trees, in a land flowing with rivers of fish, partridges, 
rabbits, and Indian meal cakes.” 


FOETUNES A.1^D MISFOETIINES. 


131 


He would also have dwelt in peace, had it not been 
for the mosquitos, which, he informed Mr. Woodbury, 
''^followed after Charity by beginning to hum whenever 
he retired for the night.” 

‘‘ Ha ! ha ! ha !” laughed the pastor. ‘‘ That is rather 
hard following after Charity.” 

‘‘Why, yes,” replied Jack, “just as the son follow- 
ed his father.” 

“ How was that?” 

“ Took after him with a big club,” replied Jack. 

Mr. Woodbury indulged in another laugh, after 
which Jack informed him that the mosquito nuisance 
had been pretty well disposed of by the use of a large 
piece of netting, which the reader will recollect was 
among the trophies taken by Jack on the night of his 
visit to Mr. Woodbury’s barn. 

During this conversation supper was made ready, 
and soon disposed of, when Jack produced the old 
coverless Bible. 

“ Blessed be God !” exclaimed the pastor, looking 
at Jack very approvingly, and with a shade of inquiry 
on his face. 

“ Oh, I’ve read the Bible,” said Jack, as if in reply 
to a question ; “ and it does me lots of good. I like 
it better and better.” 


132 


FORTUNES AND AnSFORTUNES. 


No wonder you like it, my friend ; for in spite of 
all the railing against them, who does not like a good 
love story? Jack — ” all the while handling the old 
book lovingly — ‘‘this IS the greatest love story 
THAT was ever WRITTEN ; but it is Only when we 
view it in its true light, that we really love it. Looked 
upon in any other way than as a boundless, immor- 
tal, divine love story, the Book of books becomes 
distasteful at once.” 

“ It was something of that kind that took hold of 
me,” said Jack. A short pause. “ Mr. Woodbury ^ — 
I guess I’d better — ” 

“Certainly!” replied Mr. Woodbury, as if aiding 
the speaker, who made another pause. 

“ I thought I’d better make a profession of Chris- 
tianity — I mean a little of Christianity.” 

Mr. W oodbury's look took on the garment of inquiry. 

“I believe,” continued Jack, “that Jesus came 
down from heaven, that he lived a life of unselfish 
sacrifice, and sealed it with his death on the cross, not 
for the righteous, but for men just like myself, lost 
in selfishness. I believe that Jesus, though returned 
to heaven, is present in spirit with you and me now— 
nearer you than me of course. I don’t know much 
about foreordination, predestination, election or the 


rORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


133 


hair-splitting doctrines. But I believe our Saviour 
came down from heaven, that God was in Christ, 
that Jesus died for us, that he rose from the dead, 
that he is our Divine Master and Eedeemer, that by 
faith in him we obtain salvation ; all just as stated 
in the Holy Bible.’’ 

“Bless the Lord !” said Mr. Woodbury “Here 
we have another wonderful result of the great love 
story. Christ says, ‘I am the way, and the truth, 
and the life : no man cometh to the Father but by 
me I am the door;’ ‘Come unto me, all ye that 
labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.’ 
My friend, such language comes either from the 
greatest imposter or from God’s Only Son. How 
you arrived at this conclusion may seem of little or 
no consequence ; yet a knowledge of the way must 
be of vital importance.” 

“Well, in prayer, in praise, in communion and in 
studying the Bible. And I found that our Father 
and Saviour were not far from any one of us.” 

“And, my young friend, you have not sought in 
vain. Never falter. If God is for us, who can be 
against us? Let us sing that hallelujah, praise the 
Lord hymn. Then we will read, pray and sleep with 
a realizing sense of our Father’s care.” 


134 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


Mr. Woodbury was a fine singer, and Jack never 
before enjoyed singing quite so well as when both 
united in the following hymn : 

SWELL HIS PRAISE. 

1. Swell His praise, ye mighty ocean, 

Tempests, in your wild commotion, 

Thunders, roll in deep devotion; 

Praise ! O, praise the Lord ! 

Lakes and rivers, sparkling fountains. 

Know that God is God alone ; 

Bow in awe, ye cloud-capped mountains ; 

Bow, ye heavens, before his throne: 

Sun and moon, in splendor shining. 

Twinkling stars that stud the sky 
Sombre clouds with silver lining, 

Show the praise of God, Most High. 

Heav’ns above, declare thy glory. 

Earth, repeat the wondrous story, 

Angels and archangels holy. 

Praise ! O, praise the Lord ! 

2 . Bow before the Great Eternal ; 

Boundless e’er his love supernal ; 

All his blessings ever vernal ; 

Praise ! O, praise the Lord ! 

Throng his courts, ye tribes and nations, 

To his holy shrines draw near. 

Prince and monarch, adorations 
Bring in humble, godly fear : 

See the tender, loving Father 
Spreads his blessings all abroad ; 

Make each heart a heav’nly altar. 

All that breathe, and praise the Lord I 
Heav’ns above, declare, etc. 


CHAPTER XV. 

THE pastor’s adventures CONTINUED. 

A fter supper, jack and his visitor retired to rest. 

Jack, who, as the reader will recollect, was up 
most of the preceding night, now slept unusually sound. 
Towards morning, however, he was awakened by loud 
shouts that proceeded from the opposite bank of 
the pond. He arose, endeavoring to make as little 
noise as possible, lest he might awaken the pastor, 
when, to his surprise, he discovered that his visitor 
was missing. He called the pastor’s name ; but re- 
ceiving no reply, he left the hut to learn what had be- 
come of him. As he neared the outlet from his en- 
closure, he heard the sound of some one making his 
way through the small pathway, and not doubting it 
to be Mr. Woodbury, he passed out. As Jack arrived 
at the end of the little path, he heard the step of Prince 
at the left in the opposite direction from the river, and 
as swiftly as possible he followed the receding clatter 
of the horse’s hoofs. At one time he would almost 
overtake the retreating steed, and the next moment the 

135 


136 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


distance between them would increase. Jack was 
thoroughly acquainted with the ground, and knew that 
unless Mr. Woodbury, mounted upon Prince, gained 
the road, he must soon overtake him. They had pro- 
ceeded in this manner but a lew minutes, when they 
arrived at a place where the trees grew more closely 
together, and the next moment the pursuer and the 
pursued were side by side. 

‘‘ Where are you going?” asked Jack. 

“ Ah ! is that you, my good friend ?” exclaimed Mr. 
Woodbury. “ I thought it might be a less agreeable 
visitor. I am trying to elude my pursuers by passing 
directly through the forest, and returning to Ardenville 
by the main highway. Can you give me any directions 
as to the road that runs through the forest ?” 

“ It is only a few rods to the right. But why don’t 
you go to the men who are hunting for you, and go 
home with them?” 

My friend, although I am a little confused in re- 
gard to this matter — in fact, though I do not exactly 
understand why you are residing like a hermit in these 
wilds, I am fully convinced that you wish your abode 
to remain unknown to the people of Ardenville. For 
this reason alone, I shall, if possible, meet my pursuers 
on the main road to the village. And yet I think you 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


137 


had better accompany me, and you shall receive such 
a cordial welcome, that you will never more wish to 
leave us.” 

“ Thank you a thousand times !” replied Jack. ‘‘But, 
if you will not betray me, I had rather live here. How- 
ever, do not forget that any time you need me very 
much, you’ve only to come here, or send for me.” 

“ Give me your hand before we part,” said the pas- 
tor^ “ and recollect that any time you wish to leave this 
locality, you can count upon many warm friends in 
Ardenville. Perhaps, however, it will be as well for 
you to remain here ; for, even during my short visit, I 
have experienced more real happiness than in all the 
previous time that has elapsed since — since — Yes, I 
have it; since the marriage of Mr. Woodbury. By 
the way. Jack, did I ever inform you that the relations 
existing between Mr. Woodbury and his wife are not 
very cordial? Have you ever heard it mentioned be- 
fore? Hark! Do you hear those shouts? I must 
resume my journey. But, Jack, what will you do ? Tt 
is growing light, and you may be discovered.” 

“Never mind me, Mr. Woodbury. There’s no dan 
ger of their catching me, unless they can run down a 
wild deer. But they are coming right for us ; so let 
us both start at once.” 


138 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


The next moment Mr Woodbury started up the road 
at a brisk trot, while Jack plunged into the woods, and 
avoiding the pursuers, passed rapidly back to his hut. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

EBTURN OF THE PRODIGAL HUSBAND. 

T he new boy, as well as the cook, avowed, with 
great emphasis, that Jack’s ghost had spirited away 
both the pastor and the horse ; but, after making in- 
quiries and learning that many people had met Mr. 
Woodbury on horseback, it was voted, by all except 
the cook and boy, that the missing person had left 
of his own free will ; though as to the truth of the visit 
of Jack’s ghost, opinions differed. 

A large number of men turned out to scour the sur- 
rounding country. Sometime during the night, the 
trail of the fugitive was discovered in Great Forest, 
and slowly followed. Soon after Jack left the hut, the 
party arrived at the place where Prince had been tied, 
and a few minutes after they discovered the direction 
the fugitive had taken, and started in pursuit. 

After passing through the forest, and skirting the 
great wood by a cart-path, Mr. Woodbury entered the 
main road, and headed directly for Ardenville. He 
soon after met a party in search of him, and accom- 

139 


140 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


panied by them, rode home. One of the party rode 
with all speed to Ardenville, to inform the people that 
the dead was alive again, ^and the lost found, A can- 
non was then fired a number of times, to notify the 
people in search of the wanderer. As the pastor en- 
tered the village, the bells sent out merry peals of joy, 
and a moment after, Arden rode up to the side of the 
minister. 

‘‘A very pleasant day we are having,” said JMr. 
Woodbury. 

Thank God you are safe !” exclaimed Arden. 

‘‘Yes,” added Mr. Woodbury, “let us thank our 
Heavenly Father in prosperity. We ought never to 
wait for seasons of adversity before calling upon God. 
In time of trouble 
Our prayers we double ; 

but we will call upon the name of the Lord at all sea- 
sons.” 

“Where have you been ?” asked Arden. 

“ Calling on a friend,” replied Mr. Woodbury, “and 
a very pleasant visit the Lord vouchsafed to me. But 
only hear the bells ! How merrily they sound I But, 
between you and me, brother Arden, 

All birds don’t sing 
When the bells ring. 

Not al ways sounds a merry note 
When Robin Redbreast opes his throat. 


FOETUNES AND MISFOETUNES. 


141 


Yes, I was sorry to return ; but I saw plainly that 
A rdenville would not rejoice until I came. In the lan- 
guage of the man on his way to the gallows, ‘ There 
will be no particular source of amusement until the 
period of my arrival.’ ” 

Arden clearly saw that his brother-in-law had become 
a lunatic in reality ; yet he concluded the better way 
would be to converse as though the pastor was per- 
fectly sane. 

“ You are returning like the prodigal son,” said Ar 
den, pleasantly. 

“ Not precisely,” replied the pastor; “for the pro- 
digal son returned to the residence of his sire, while I 
am returning to my wife’s mansion, and am, therefore, 
the prodigal husband. Between you and me. Brother 
Arden, Mr. Woodbury has not enjoyed good health for 
some months. He had a secret trouble, and that, with 
the immense amount of labor he performed, completely 
broke him down. Neither, alone, could have taken 
away his health ; but combined, they accomplished the 
work. But after all, what is man ? He reminds me 
of that giant elm whose lofty height seems to brush 
the very clouds of heaven. How majestic its great 
branches spreading in grandeur, as though conscious of 
power and years! The worn traveler finds rest be- 


142 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


neath its shade ;the birds build their nests and make 
music in its branches. But by and by the rushing 
wind, aided by those beautiful branches and leaves, 
rends the massive trunk, and the proud fabric lies 
in the dust. Man has no surity here. Jehovah is 
our refuge and strength.” 

[To the writer this majestic elm sometimes seem- 
ed to hrusTi the clouds. It fell as described.] 

At this moment, Maud came to meet her husband at 
the gate, where Mr. Woodbury alighted and extended 
his hand ; but the wife, throwing her arms around his 
neck, kissed him, while she wept and laughed by turns. 
She then took him by the hand to conduct him to the 
house. 

“ Mrs. Woodbury,” said the pastor, “know that 

Merely kissing 
Is not blessing; 

For we read, in the Book of Books, that even Judas 
saluted his Divine Master with a kiss on the night of 
the betrayal. 

Before the face, we act with grace: 

Behind the back, we make attack. 

By the way, have you any article of food in your 
residence? I stand greatly in need of aliment. When 


FOETUNES AND MISFOETUNES. 


143 


the prodigal son returned, the fatted calf was slaugh- 
tered for his enjoyment; but the prodigal husband 
would make merry at the sight of a chicken or piece 
of beef. Brother Arden, will you honor us with your 
presence at breakfast ? There comes ’Squire Benson. 
How my heart warms at the sight of the Christian 
hero !” 

“ How do you do, Brother Woodbury ?” exclaimed 
’Squire Benson, shaking hands with the pastor. ‘‘Are 
you well this morning?” 

“ I have no reason to complain of my health,” re- 
plied the pastor, smiling pleasantly, “ and I am happy 
to see you looking so well this morning ; but you al- 
ways look as happy as the day is long. ‘ Happy is the 
man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth 
understanding. For the merchandise of it is better 
than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof 
than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies ; and 
all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared 
unto her. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and 
all her paths are peace.’ ‘ Happy is he that hath the 
God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord 
his God.’ But here comes another piece of love.’ 


144 


rORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


And Mr. Woodbury caught little Ella in his arms, and 
gave her a half dozen kisses. 

“We cannot bind 
The fickle wind,' 

added the pastor ; but this small magnet ever points 
to the star of love.” 



CHAPTER Xm 


BEARCH I’OR THE MURDERER OP JACK. MR. BRIGHT 
SEES SOMETHING RESEMBLING A GHOST. 



N Monday morning, headed by Arden, a large 


party set out to search Great Forest. The party 
was divided into two bands, each one of which passed 
within a few rods of Jack’s hut during the forenoon ; 
but the path leading to the little cabin, being so 
strewn with stones that no tracks were visible, our 
young Crusoe remained undisturbed in his quiet re- 
treat until noon, when he sallied forth to reconnoitre, 
not doubting the mission of the intruders. 

He had proceeded but a short distance, when, hear- 
ing footsteps, he secreted himself, and a moment after, 
saw one of the bands approaching. Jack recognized 
many familiar faces, including Arden, the tavern-keeper 
and his son Jim. The party passed within a few yards 
of Jack, when, leaving his hiding place, he followed 
t’^ they arrived at a small brook where a halt was 
made for dinner. Cold ham, tongue, beef, bread and 


145 


146 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


other etceteras were produced, upon all of which a 
furious onslaught was made. 

An idea suddenly struck Jack, which he immedi- 
ately carried into execution. Fastening a large fish- 
hook upon a long pole, he run it along the ground un- 
til it reached the landlord’s coat, which lay upon a rock 
behind him, and fastening the hook into the garment, 
he pulled it into his hiding place. A moment after he 
secured a tin cup by the same means. Jack continued 
his labors until quite a variety of garments and uten- 
sils were collected, when rolling them up, he crept 
stealthily away. 

Come I come, boys I we must be moving,” exclaim- 
ed Arden, rising to his feet. 

I declare, so we must,” said the landlord. “But 
where’s my coat?” 

“ With my boots, I guess,” replied Jim, who was mak- 
ing diligent search for his pedal coverings, which he 
had removed on account of the pains caused by 
traversing the rough paths of the forest. 

“ My hat is missing,” exclaimed Mr. Arden. 

“And so is milie,” added another member of the 
party. 

“ Jim,” said the landlord, in as severe a tone as he 
could well assume, “ Jim, this is no time to play your 


rOETUNES AND MISFOETUNES. 


147 


tricks. We are engaged in sometking besides amuse- 
ment to-day.” 

I should think so,” replied Jim, gazing ruefully at 
his bare feet. “ However, if I didn’t think so now, I 
guess I should be reminded of it on my way home.” 

“ Come, come, Jim, give us our things, and I’ll agree 
not to scold any more to-day.” 

‘‘Nothing would suit me better,” replied Jim; “but 
the fact is I can’t accommodate you.” 

“Eecollect, Jim, that I shant be responsible for 
damages if you don’t give up them things directly.” 

“ I tell you I aint got the things,” replied Jim, in 
an angry tone, as he accidently set his foot upon a sharp 
brier. “Do you think I’m such a fool as to WElk 
round on these briers and stones, barefooted, for the 
sake of a joke.” Here Jim made an ineffectual at- 
tempt to shake off the brier as he continued, “ Not by 
a jug full. I should be almost as foolish as you are to 
ask such a question.” 

“ Jim,” cried the father, in an excited tone, seizing 
him by the collar, “Jim, you young rascal, tell me 
where you’ve hid them things, in a minute.” 

“ My friend,” interposed Arden, laying his hand upon 
the parental shoulder, “ my friend, I think your son is 
entirely innocent; so don’t hurt him; for — ” 


148 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


‘‘Ha! ha! ha!” laughed Jim. “Bless your inno- 
cent heart, Mr. Arden. My father wouldn’t hurt a 
louse. Why, he never so much as tingled my legs w.ith 
a switch, in all my life. Mother has got an idea that 
no real good seed is well planted in a boy, till it is well 
bushed in, and father has always taken my part, and 
saved me from a thousand strokes. I’m really sorry, 
father, that I called you foolish. I know ’twaut right; 
but then I thought you knew that I hadn’t moved while 
we were eating.” 

“Well, well, never mind, Jim,” said the father. “ I 
knew well enough you didn’t mean it. Fact is, Mr. 
Arden, Jim is the best boy in the world, only he’s full 
of tricks, and I thought he’d been coming some shine 
or other. Sit down, Jim, and let me see if I can’t puli 
out them briers.” 

Jack, who had deposited his booty in a safe place, 
hearing voices in contention, returned to see what the 
searchers were about, when, as he neared the party, 
stepping upon a dry twig and thinking the noise had 
betrayed him, he became alarmed, and, without wait- 
ing to ascertain whether he was discovered or not, set 
off at full speed. 

“ There he goes,” shouted the landlord, pointing at 
Jack. “ He’s stole the very clothes from our backs. 
He’s an old one.” 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


149 


“ Don’t leave me, father,” cried Jim. “ Remember 
I’m barefooted.” 

‘‘ The rascal,” said the father, “ to steal my boy’s 
boots. But you just get upon the horse and we’ll fol- 
low.” 

Arden and the rest of the party gave chase ; but 
they might as well have attempted to run down an an- 
telope. 

‘‘He will escape,” cried Arden, as he saw Jack mak- 
ing two rods to their one. 

But, just as they had given up all hopes, the other 
band, who were scouring the woods, appeared about 
ten rods off, directly in front of the fugitive. The line 
of the second party was so extended that Jack saw no 
other alternative except a bold push through the line 
itself ; and, increasing his speed to the utmost, he at- 
tempted to pass through. He had nearly accomplish- 
ed the difficult feat, when, about twenty feet ahead, 
directly in his path, he discovered Mr. Bright, armed 
with a gun, taking deliberate aim at his breast. Jack’s 
flesh began to crawl, and dropping upon his knees, he 
threw up his hands. Mr. Bright gave one look and 
dropped his gun, which discharged as it struck the 
earth, and the next moment Jack leaped to his feet, 
and opening his mouth and eyes to their utmost capao 


150 


FORTTJN^:S AND MISFORTUNES. 


ity, rushed towards the iiupeder of his progress. Mr. 
Bright stood petrified with astouishment, and the hair 
of his head seemed to bristle strangely, while Jack, 
with the velocity of a race horse, passed within a yard 
of him, and was soon out of sight, 

“ Did you miss him, Mr. Bright ?” asked one of the 
party who came up. 

“ Miss him,” repeated Mr. Bright, still gazing in the 
direction of the flying fugitive ; “ I didn’t filre.” 

“ What is the matter, Mr. Bright ? Are you fright- 
ened? Did he attempt to shoot you?” 

No, he was unarmed; and I don’t know whether 
I’m frightened or not. I took deliberate aim, when he 
dropped upon his knees, and threw up his hands ; but, 
somehow or other, I couldn’t hold that gun to save my 
soul, and it slipped from my hands and went off.” 

“ And he didn’t attempt to hurt you?” 

‘‘ No. He didn’t seem to have any wish to. He 
was totally unarmed, and only seemed anxious to es- 
cape.” 

“ What, then, makes you so agitated ?” 

“ I cannot make that out myself.” 

At this moment Arden and his party arrived, to 
whom Mr. Bright’s companion related what he knew 
of the affair. 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


151 


“ And,” said Arden, you can’t tell what has so dis- 
turbed you ?” 

I feel somewhat ashamed to state my thoughts,” 
replied Mr. Bright. “ I must own that I felt strange- 
ly and perhaps a little frightened ; but I hardly know 
whether I was or not.” 

“ Did he resemble Jack ?” 

‘‘Why?” 

“ Because,” replied Arden, “ I could think of no one 
else, and 1 would not have fired for the world.” 

“ My friends,” said Mr. Bright, in a rather solemn 
tone, “ I almost think it was he.” 

“ You saw his face.” 

“Yes. And although his mouth was wide open, and 
his eyes seemed ready to start from their sockets, I 
could see Jack’s features as plain as I now see yours. 
I am almost a believer in ghosts. I have seen men run 
races ; but I never witnessed such speed. I fancied that 
I could feel the wind he caused as he flew past.” 

“ Strange ! strange !” exclaimed Arden. “ But, re- 
member one thing — don’t . shoot him, or I shall pay no 
reward. He did certainly look like Jack, though I 
only saw his back. Ah ! I have it. He has disguised 
himself by putting on Jack’s clothes.” 

“ But how could he put on Jack’s face ?’^ 


152 


FOETUNES AND MISFOETUNES. 


^^Well, this is strange/’ said Arden, ^^and I cannot 
solve the mystery.” 

The ground was carefully examined, and the prints of 
Jack’s boots were distinctly traced in a number of pla- 
ces ; but after searching the balance of the afternoon, 
nothing was discovered except a few snares, and as 
night approached the party returned to their homes. 

^^But, Julia,” said Arden, after relating the day’s ad- 
ventures, ^^do you judge it reasonable to suppose that 
Jack is in Great Forest stark mad ?” 

^^No, Charles ; for Jack is not one of that kind. Mr. 
Woodbury has read, studied and worked on his sermons 
^nd prayer meeting talks, night and day, almost without 
;)ut-of-door exercise or pure air ; and his present condi- 
tion is not unnatural, at least, for one of his tempera- 
ment. While he requires three hours sleep to Jack’s 
two, the sailor boy slept three hours to Mr. Woodbury’s 
two. No, Charles ; a young man, like our Jack Green, 
with the amount of exercise he obtained, is not one apt 
to become insane.” 


CHAPTER XVIII. 

MR. WOODBURY AND HIS WIFE. 

F or a day or two after the grand search for the 
murderer, the apparition which appeared to Mr. 
Bright was considerably commented upon ; but, at the 
next meeting of the sewing circle, it was the topic of 
discussion, and figuratively speaking, the ghost was 
picked in pieces. In the evening the men who dropped 
in took a prominent part in the dissection of the ghost ; 
which, of course, added fuel to the former confiagra- 
tion. 

“Mr. Bright,” said Mr. Ernest, the new pastor, “do 
you really think you saw Jack ?” 

“I can hardly tell what I think,” replied Mr. Bright. 
“ When I first heard of the appearance of the ghost 
to Mr. Woodbury’s cook and the chore boy, I laughed 
at the tale ; but I cannot doubt something was seen 
by them, and that resembled Jack. I must 

say that I beheld the countenance of the murdered boy 
or what greatly resembled it, and were I superstitious, 
I might affirm that I actually saw his ghost.” 


163 


154 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


“ There is something very singular about the affair,” 
said Arden. ‘‘ The boy who left us on account of the 
apparition, stoutly affirmed that he heard Jack’s voice 
as plainly as he ever heard any one’s. He says that 
he could not be mistaken, and yet he does not seem to 
relate the whole. He seems to hesitate while telling 
the story, and something appears to be kept back. The 
cook, however, tells the story without the least reserve. 
When I saw the fugitive trying to escape, I could al- 
most have taken my oath that Jack was before me. 
As for Mr. Bright, he can tell his own story. But 
what is your opinion of this matter, Mr. Lazelle ?” 

“ I can only say, in the language of Scripture,” re- 
plied Mr. Lazelle, the ghost will not down at 
OUR BIDDING ; but looking upon such passages as fig- 
urative, I cannot say that I believe in ghosts.” 

“ By the way,” said ’Squire Benson, who had caught 
Arden’s question and the answer, “ by the way, what 
kind of clothes did the ghost wear?” 

“ There is an idea,” exclaimed Arden, as he noticed 
Squire Benson’s expression. ‘‘I must say his gar 
raents were not very ghostly. I am positive they were 
Jack’s old clothes.” 

‘‘ Then,” broke in Mr. Bright, “ I’ll testify to the 
face.” 


FORTtlNEFS AND MISFORTUNES. 


155 


“Or,” added Mr. Lazelle, “in the words of Solo- 
mon, the clothes make the man^ 

“Decidedly so in this particular case,” comment- 
ed ’Squire Benson, smiling. “With material eyes 
you saw material man in material garments, spiritual 
things being spiritually discerned. Furthermore — ” 
“Yes, furthermore,” put in Mr. Lazelle, thinking 
he had made a decided hit, “as the Bible informs us, 
two hills cannot he made without a valley between, 
“Where does Scripture say that?” asked a college 
student in a half whisper of Mrs. Bright. “I think 
it is bosh. It is a proverb.” 

Mrs. Bright shook with merriment. “Why ! are 
you a sophomore and don’t understand ?” 

The crest-fallen student reddened, saying, “I will 
tarry in Jericho till my beard grows.” 

But Mrs. Bright kindly explained that they con- 
doned Mr. Lazelle’s monomania which had defied all 
attempts at correction. 

“I have been taught a lesson,” said the discomfit- 
ed student. “I ought to beg pardon of this assem- 
blage for judging them ignoramuses when I alone — ” 
“No, no, all make mistakes,” replied Mrs. Bright. 
“I am not denying,” remarked ’Squire Benson, 
“that God could enable you to see a spirit. But 


156 


FOETUNES AND MISFOETUNES. 


such a manifestation would be a miracle, and I deny 
that any miracle has been wrought in this affair.” 

‘‘ For my part,” said Mrs. Bright, I am a firm dis- 
believer in ghosts, and yet many doctors of divinity 
have held to the doctrine.” 

“ As Solomon says,” remarked Mr. Lazelle, with his 
usual misquotation, ‘^when doctors disagree^ who shall 
decide ?” 

,The conversation was at this moment interrupted 
by the arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Woodbury. Little 
Ella ran to meet the new comers, and the ex-pastor 
lifted the little girl in his arms and kissed her. 

Oh, Mr. Woodbury,” exclaimed Ella, “ the folks 
have seen J ack. Don’t you wish he would come back ?” 

“Yes,” replied Mr. Woodbury, “I pressed him to 
come ; but he prefers to stay.” 

“ Did you see him, too?” 

“ Never mind, my little rose bud ; he will return by 
and by.” 

“ Now I know you seed him.” 

“ I think I will not say as to that ; but you will see 
him again by and by.” 

Come here, Ella,” said Mrs. Bright, “ and don’t 
trouble Mr. Woodbury with your questions.” 

“ Suffer little children to come unto me,” remarked 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


157 


Mr. Woodbury. I would that I could confer upon 
you the Saviour’s blessing. My little darling, do you 
love the Saviour?” 

“ Oh, yes, I love him ever so much.” 

“ What makes you love him so much ?” 

‘‘ Because he loves little children.” 

“ Ah ! there we have it,” said Mr. Woocfbury. ‘‘As 
thebeloved disciple says, ‘We love him because he 
first loved us.’ ” 

“Did you hear that?” whispered Mrs. Bright to her 
next neighbor. “ He talks as sane as any one.” 

“ He seems to be insane only on one subject,” replied 
Arden, “ and that is, he imagines himself in good 
health, while Mr. Woodbury, he says, is quite feeble.” 

“Good evening, Brother,” said Mr. Woodbury 
to the new pastor. “ You seem to be enjoying good 
health. I understand that the former pastor is not 
very well. His labors were very pleasant among his 
people. He had a goodly heritage here, and I am 
happy to congratulate you, also. Truly, your lot has 
fallen in pleasant places.” 

“ I am very grateful for your good wishes,” replied 
Mr. Ernest. “I am fully convinced of the value of this 
flock. Their hearts are warm and generous.” 

“ And yet,” remarked Mr. Woodbury, “ these very 


168 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


qualities were some of the causes of breaking down 
the health of their former pastor. In his zeal for the 
cause of his Divine Master, coupled with gratitude to 
his people, he labored beyond his strength. But be- 
tween you and me, Mr. Ernest, there was a secret 
cause also. ‘ The heart knoweth its own bitterness,’ 
and he often exclaimed in his grief, ‘ O that I had 
wings like a dove ; then would I fly away and be at 
rest.’ ” 

Maud, who drank in every word uttered by her 
husband, felt a kind of sickening sensation, and took 
hold of a chair for support. 

“ Are you ill ?” asked Arden. 

“No,” replied Maud, “only a sudden faintness; but 
I am entirely over it now.” 

Arden gazed anxiously at his sister, as he seated her 
in his own chair. 

“Mrs. Arden,” said Mr. Woodbury, “will you favor 
us with a hymn ?” 

“With pleasure,” replied Julia. “What shall it 

ber 

“ I will show you,” replied Mr. Woodbury, as he led 
her to the piano, and opened a hymn book. There it 
is. Sing the first two verses of the best hymn ever 
written by a human being. That one production ought 
to make the name of Charles Wesley immortal.” 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 159 

There was silence throughout the room while Julia 
sang, as her husband thought, in a sweeter strain than 
he had ever listened to before : 

“ Jesus, lover of my soul, 

Let me to Thy bosom fly ; 

While the nearer waters roll, 

While the tempest still is high ; 

Hide me, O my Saviour, hide, 

Till the storm of life is past; 

Safe into the haven guide. 

Oh, receive my soul at last. 

Other refuge have I none ; 

Hangs my helpless soul on Thee : 

Leave, oh I leave me not alone ; 

Still support and comfort me ; 

All my trust on Thee is stayed ; 

All my help from Thee I bring ; 

Cover my defenceless head, 

With the shadow of Thy wing,” 

Not a word was spoken for nearly a minute after the 
music ceased. 

“Brother Ernest, said Mr. Woodbury, “if earthly 
hymns are so heavenly, what must it be to listen, aye, 
to join in the songs of the seraphs themselves?” 

“ Maud,” asked Arden, in a low voice, as he saw the 
colorless face of his sister, “ are you not ill ? Had you 
not better return home ?” 

“ I think I will,” replied Maud, grasping the arm of 
her brother. 


160 


FORTUNES AND mSFORTUNES. 


‘‘ Shall I accompaDy you ?” 

“ Yes, Charles, if you will.” 

By this time the company had turned their whole 
attention to Maud. One handed a glass of water, an- 
other began fanning her vigorously, while others called 
for hartshorn, camphor, etc., and, as usual in such cases, 
all gathered around in such a manner as to exclude all 
ingress of anything like pure air. 

‘‘ You are very kind,” said Arden ; “ but she only 
needs a little fresh air and rest.” 

“ My dear wife,” asked Mr. Woodbury, taking her 
hand, are you ill?” 

‘‘I hope not,” replied Arden. “I think, however, 
she had better return home.” 

“ Yes, George,” said Maud, “ I think I will go home. 
I shall be well in an hour.” 

Well,” exclaimed Mr. Woodbury, his face sud- 
denly becoming as pale as his wife’s. ‘‘ What do you 
mean by becoming well ? Are you very ill ?” 

‘‘ No,” replied Maud ; “it is only a little faintness. 
My health is good.” 

“ Are you sure of it ?” 

“ Yes, George, I am very certain. I’m not going to 
be sick ; so don’t be alarmed about me.” 

“I was somewhat frightened,” said Mr. Woodbury; 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


161 


‘‘ but I now understand you. When you spoke of be- 
ing well, I was thinking of a remark made by Mr. 
Woodbury when questioned as to his own sickness.” 



CHAPTER XIX. 


MAUD EEVEALS HER TERRIBLE SECRET TO ARDEN. 



RDEN and his wife accompanied Mr. and Mrs. 


XJL Woodbury home. When they arrived, leaving 
the other couple in the parlor, Arden led Maud to an- 
other room. 

“ For heaven’s sake, Maud !” exclaimed Arden, when 
he thought he was out of the hearing of others, “ for 
heaven’s sake, Maud ! what does all this mean ? Why 
do you turn pale whenever your husband mentions that 
secret cause of grief? What does he mean? Come, 
sister Maud, what have you done?” 

“Done?” repeated Maud. “I have murdered the 
best of husbands whom I love as I love my life.” 

Murdered your husband ! What do you mean ? 
Speak out at once.” 

“ My dear brother, I will tell you all ; for I can no 
longer bear this great burden upon my soul. I deserve 
no sympathy ; but, if you would only pity me a little. 


162 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


163 


and try and help me, perhaps I might in time become 
good like yourself. But remember, Charles, that you 
were not always so very good as you now are. Do not 
forget this when I tell you the sad story of my wicked- 
ness.” 

Arden rose, walked across the floor, and returning, 
sat down by his sister, and took her hand in his own. 

No, my dear sister,” said he, “ I will not be harsh. 
I will not utter one unkind word ; on the contrary, I 
will try to act even as ’Squire Benson would act.” 

“ ’Squire Benson and his wife are more kind to me 
than any other persons, and yet I sometimes imagine 
they know my whole story.” 

“ Well, my dear sister, if they, knowing all, can be 
kind, God forbid that your own brother should be oth- 
erwise. I doubt not you have suffered much ; yes, very 
much already, and I feel that my duty must be to 
lighten instead of increasing your sorrows.” 

Arden kissed his sister as he spoke, and thus encour- 
aged, she commenced, and amid many tears and re- 
grets, told the story of her wedded life. 

Now, my dear sister,” said Arden, cheerfully, as 
she finished, “ I know that you feel happier already ; 
and I will try to make you still more happy. Although 
you have sinned, greatly sinned, I trust it proceeded 


164 


FOKTUNES AND MISORTUNES. 


from thoughtlessness. Notwithstanding your wilful 
ways, you kept the first commandment with promise. 
That is accompanied and followed by blessings. I 
did not suspect any estrangement between you ; for 
you seem made for each other. Why, last Sunday 
Julia said to me, ‘What a happy couple our pastor 
and your sister ought to be. He is rather sensitive 
and she a little thoughtless, but both good-hearted. 
And of late there is an added gentleness about Maud 
which only comes from the pure in heart.”’ 

Maud raised her hands : ‘ ‘No ! no ! no ! God forgive 
me ; I am perfectly selfish. I want my husband’s af- 
fection, and my sacrifices are for his sake.” 

“And is that utterly selfish? Are Christians ut- 
terly selfish in making sacrifices because they long to 
be in closer communion with God and our Saviour ? 
You begun this new life to win back your husband. 
That was our Father’s way ; for you have reached 
a high Christian altitude. I heard you telling your 
class about the unsatisfying, deceiving pleasures of 
iniquity as compared with purity and right doing.” 

“I wonder if I made any impression upon any one 
of them ?” queried Maud. 

“I’m sure of it,” replied Arden. “You are just 
the one to make a lasting impression. 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


165 


“And I was pleased when you told that ‘spirit-of- 
the-nineteenth-century’’ gentleman that everything in 
the spirit lie extolled, worth cherishing, was simply 
Christianity ; for the so-called spirit of the nineteenth 
century visits only the lands where Christianity has 
already obtained a good foothold. 

“And Julia was delighted to hear you confound 
that Nature fellow who would not worship a Being 
who allows evils to afflict us : we should turn to kind, 
bountiful Nature. You replied that Nature permits 
countless evils, but God sent us a Divine Eedeemer, 
and the prudent will continue to worship in Christian 
temples until the advent of Nature’s Messiah.” 

“Of course I love Christ’s gospel,” replied Maud ; 
for its value is priceless. But in this crisis I am long- 
ing, day and night, for the confidence of my husband, 
without which I do not care to live.” 

“Then improve every opportunity,” said Arden. 
“He loves you devotedly, and reconciliation is sure. 
Humble yourself without regard to what he may say 
or do ; for to a sensitive man, like your husband, 
your thoughtless words must have seemed terrible.” 

“And I realize it now,” replied Maud. “I have, 
also, tried so hard to prove my reformation, but all 
in vain. Yet I will try again and do all you ask.” 


166 


FORTUNES AND MSFOKTDNES. 


The brother and sister conversed a long time before 
their return to the parlor. As Julia saw her hushand 
and his sister enter the room, she guessed their con- 
versation and its results, and hardly knowing what 
she did, she threw her arms around Maud’s neck and 
kissed her. 

“ You are all so very, very good to me,” said Maud, 
returning the kiss, while her eyes began to swim. 

Arden drew his wife’s arm within his own, and they 
passed out. 

“ Julia,” said Arden, “ I suppose you know some- 
thing of what has passed between my sister and my- 
self.” 

‘^I think I do,” replied Julia ; and you must for- 
give me when I tell you, that I knew the whole secret 
before. I thought it best, however, to allow your 
eyes to open of themselves.” 

Perhaps it is all for the best,” said Arden, ‘‘ and I 
feel that these very calamities were needed to purify 
my sister.” 

If the suffering were needless,” replied Julia, I 
am sure God would never have sent it. He never does 
anything needlessly. And when I read that even our 
Saviour, who came down from heaven, and took on 
humanity, was made perfect through suffering, I can- 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


167 


not doubt its utility for all. True, no chastening for 
the present seeineth joyous, but grievous; nevertheless, 
afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruits of righteous- 
ness unto them that are exercised thereby.” 

^^But Julia” said Arden, without glancing at his wife, 
^^Maud speaks of herself as having driven her husband 
to insanity, and accuses herself of murder.” 

^‘Quite natural, perhaps,” replied Julia. But do not 
harbor such a thought for an instant. When any one 
sits up half the night, studying, writing and meditating, 
rises early, yet refuses to indulge in a siesta during the 
day, the real wonder is that he is outside of a lunatic 
asylum. While we should sympathize with the unfortu- 
nate, there is no necessity for distorting facts. Your 
sister is not merely one I love, but is kind-hearted and 
devoted to her husband. The least harsh judgmnet re- 
garding Maud is not only uncalled for, but it would be 
very unjust to Mr. Woodbury to call him so weak as to 
break down simply from disappointment regarding his 
wife, especially when he is free to do precisely as he 
likes.” 


CHAPTER XX. 

MR. WOODBURY AGAIN FLEES FROM HOME 

I T was already late in the evening when Mr. and 
Mrs. Woodbury were left alone ; yet, as the hus- 
band seldom retired before midnight, there still re- 
mained a couple of hours to the usual time for slumber. 

“ Now, George,” said Maud, ‘‘ suppose one reads 
while the other listens.” 

“ I will read if you wish,” said Mr. Woodbury, ‘‘ Let 
me see — here is a short story in this magazine : it will 
occupy but a half hour or so in reading.” 

Maud seated herself upon the ottoman at the feet 
of her husband, as he sat in his wife’s easy chair, 
while he commenced reading. The story was about 
a married couple who had become estranged. Both 
wished that a reconciliation might be brought about ; 
yet, as neither would consent to make the first ad- 
vances, the estrangement continued. Both husband 
and wife were church members, and praying ones; 
and after the coldness between them had continued for 
some years, both betook themselves to secret prayer, 
168 


FOETUNES AND MISFOETUNES. 


169 


Their petitions, however, availed them nothing until 
one night, both actuated by the same motive, besought 
their Maker to grant some opportunity of becoming 
reconciled without being obliged to humble themselves 
to an extent that would injure their pride. The next 
morning both were attacked with a mortal disease, and, 
as they beheld death staring them in the face, each 
saw the answer to the petition. The opportunity, so 
long sought, had come at last, and, availing themselves 
of it, a reconciliation took place, and they died but a 
few moments after. 

Maud was fully aware that the story was but a fancy 
sketch ; yet she felt it might, with her at least, be- 
come a reality should she fail in her duty. She sat, as 
we have described, at the feet of her husband. Gradu- 
ally her head sank until she laid it trembling in his 
lap. As the husband read on, his disengaged hand 
sought the head of his wife, and he, perhaps uncon- 
sciously, smoothed her hair, and occasionally her fore- 
head. When the story was finished, Mr. Woodbury 
put aside the magazine, and laid both hands upon 
Maud’s head. He sat for some time without uttering 
a word. Once he lowered his head, as though he 
would imprint a kiss upon her forehead ; but he quickly 
raised it to an erect position. A moment after, how- 


170 


FOETUNES AND MISFOETUNES. 


ever, he again bowed so low that she felt the warm 
breath upon her cheek ; but again he resumed his for- 
mer position without touching her face, and at the same 
moment, removed both hands from her head. 

“It is perhaps my last opportunity,” said Maud to 
herself ; and, raising her head, she took both his hands 
in hers, and, as he did not withdraw them, she fondled 
them in her own. Still holding his hands, she seated 
herself in his lap. She felt that she had proceeded too 
far to retreat, and throwing her arms around his neck, 
she hid her face on his breast, and yet he remained sim- 
ply passive. Still saying to herself, “it may be my last 
opportunity,” she raised her head and kissed his cheek. 
The husband’s face flushed for a moment, and he threw 
his arms around his wife ; but the next instant they 
dropped listlessly at his side. 

‘‘ O, George, my own dear husband,” exclaimed 
the wife, “ receive me once more, I beseech you, and I 
will try so hard to be good. My heart is very heavy 
and sad for the want of your affection. I will be your 
slave — anything, only tell me that I am your own dear 
wife, I have wronged you, and I will humble myself 
to you and to the world, if it will restore me to my 
former place in your esteem. I know that through 
my cruelty, you have suffered more than tongue can 


I^ORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


171 


tell ; but oh, my dear husband, I have also suffered 
much. And now what shall I do ? What duty shall 
I perform to be restored again to your confidence and 
affection ?” 

Maud,” said Mr. Woodbury, “ I feel that my 
mind is somewhat confused. I fear that I lack in judg- 
ment ; yet I alone must decide. Merely kissing is not 
blessing; neither are words a proof of sincerity. You 
have no need to ask for a love which so fills my heart 
that it almost overflows even now — an affection for 
you that death only can quench. But my love has 
stood at the door, knocking in vain for admittance. It 
has been made to wait in the cold without, exposed 
to sweeping blasts of slight and scorn ; ‘ and yet it is 
not frozen. No. The frosts of neglect have not even 
chilled my affection. You are still dear to me ; aye, 
I would even lay down my poor life for you ; but I 
fear I can never again receive you to my confidence 
and respect. Once, when I imagined you were willing 
to be a true wife, I followed you, willing to ask, even 
on my knees, for reconciliation ; but I discovered that 
you had not changed. Not changed ! Yes, you had ; 
but how ? I learned that the object of my affection 
had altered in appearance; the mask of love was as- 
sumed, while the heart remained unchanged. And you 


172 


FOBTUNBS AND MISFOBTXJNES. 


ask for the course you must pursue to be restored — 
what you shall do to gain my respect. I fear that 
time will never come ; but if you really and truly wish 
for my esteem, first of all, throw off the mask of hy- 
pocrisy, lay aside the semblance of a love you do not 
feel, and stand before me, honest in your dislike and 
indifference. I have spoken plainly, though it grieves 
me to utter words that may seem harsh. But, my 
dear wife, for your own sake, for the sake of your own 
happiness, will you not try to become the noble woman 
I once loved ?” 

There were times, during her husband’s reply, that 
a feeling of resentment rose in the wife’s heart ; but 
remembering the words of her brother, and the great 
wrong she had done, she burst into tears, ashamed of 
the feeling, and more humble than ever. Throwing 
herself upon her knees, she exclaimed, Pardon my 
cruelty this once. Try me and see if there is any de- 
ception in me. Show me my faults, and with your 
help, I will try to root them out. Take me back, this 
once, that I may show my sincerity. You unknow- 
ingly wrong me in this; for I wear no mask. My 
heart is open as the day. Do not cast me from you. 
Let me lay my poor head upon your heart, and in time 
I will cause it to beat lighter and happier.” 


FOETUNES AND MISi'OETUNES. 173 

In her anxiety for reconciliation, the wife entirely 
forgot that she was talking with one insane. The ex- 
citing scene set the fires of insanity all aglow. The 
husband’s eyes glared upon his wife an instant, and 
bringing his heel down upon the floor with an empha- 
sis that shook the very building, he exclaimed, ‘‘ Has 
it come to this? Has the wife of Mr. Woodbury sunk 
so low that she must sue for the love of a stranger ? 
Go to your husband, and lay your head upon the heart 
you have crushed. Go, woman, and repair the wrong 
you have done.” 

Maud saw the mischief she had wrought, and think" 
ing to pacify him, she stepped forward to take him by 
the arm, when he started back, exclaiming, “ Off, 
woman ! Out of my sight!” 

Still the wife attempted to grasp his arm, when, 
with eyes rolling wildly in the socket, and as though 
shivering with the cold, he darted from the room and 
was gone. 

The cook ran out, half dressed, to learn the cause of 
so much noise, when Maud, in a few hurried words, in- 
formed her that her husband had left the house in a fit 
of insanity. The wife ran to call Arden, and soon 
after, Arden ville was alive with runners to and fro ia 
search of their former pastor. 


CHAPTER XXI. 


MR. WOODBURY GOES TO RESIDE WITH JACK IN 
GREAT FOREST. 



BOUT two hours after the departure of Mr. 


iTJL Woodbury, Jack was awakened by a noise not 
far from his hut. He listened, and thought he heard 
some one making his way through the entrance to his 
enclosure. Placing his hatchet where he could lay his 
hand upon it at a moment’s warning, and taking a 
powerful bow and a few sharp arrows, he anxiously 
awaited the result. He was not kept long in suspense ; 
for, soon after, he heard some one walk directly to the 
door of his dwelling. 

‘^Jack, my good friend,” said a well-known voice, 
outside, “ can you let me in ?” 

‘‘ Yes,” replied our young Crusoe, who instantly re- 
cognized Mr. Woodbury. Let me take your hand,” 
continued Jack, as he opened the door. Take care that 
you don’t stumble. Stand where you are till I strike 
a light.” 

A faint light was obtained by starting a fire in the 


174 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


175 


little oven, and as the blaze cast a feeble light around, 
the host beheld his visitor clad in a dressing gown, in- 
stead of a coat, h's feet were incased in cloth slippers, 
and his head was without any covering. His hair was 
tangled, while the strange glare in his eyes told Jack 
that his insanity had fearfully increased since he last 
saw him. Upon examination, the visitor’s clothes were 
discovered to be torn, and the dressing gown, badly, 
while his feet were not only wet, but bruised and 
bleeding. 

Jack removed the pastor’s shoes and stockings, and 
after bathing his feet, furnished a pair of his own dry 
hose. The host then induced his guest to warm his 
feet at the fire, after which, without any questions on 
either side, the visitor was put into a comfortable bed, 
while Jack lay down by his side, and a few minutes 
after, both were asleep, the pastor from sheer exhaus- 
tion. 

Mr. Woodbury, however, slept uneasily the remain- 
der of the night ; but, as he slept, the host felt encour- 
aged. 

The next morning Jack heard shouts, which awak- 
ened the pastor from an uneasy sleep. He started up 
and looking wildly around, exclaimed, “She hasn’t 
come, has she ?” 


1T6 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


“ No,” replied Jack in a soothing tone, “ I guess not.” 

“ But I hear shouts.” 

Yes,” replied Jack ; ‘‘ those men are just over the 
river.” 

‘‘ They are searching for me,” whispered Mr. Wood- 
bury ; “ but I will not return. I can die ; but I can- 
not go back to HER mansion. She’s a fiend, and she 
attempted to fasten her fangs upon me ; but I escaped.” 

“Keep very still,” said Jack, “and they can never 
find us. We are safe enough.” 

“ And, my good friend, will you allow me to remain 
with you a few days?” 

This was a knotty question for the host ; but a sud- 
den thought coming into his head, he replied in the af- 
firmative. 

“I shall be exceedingly happy with you. Jack,” said 
Mr. Woodbury, “and I only wish I could reside with 
you the rest of my life.” 

“ You shall stay with me as long as you wish,” re* 
plied Jack, “only promise me that you will not leave 
until you tell me you are going.” 

“ I promise every thing,” said the pastor, grasping 
Jack’s hand, “ and I shall reside with you for a long, 
yes, a very long time.” 

“Now,” said Jack, “while they are searching for 


FOBTUNES AND mSFOBTUNES. 


177 


you, we cannot go out ; so we will eat breakfast and 
go to bed.” 

What, my good friend, do you slumber in the day 
time?” 

That is my rule,” replied Jack, “ when I can’t go 
out.” 

“I shall obey all your needful rules and regulations,” 
remarked the pastor, as Jack turned to prepare for 
breakfast. 

After devouring a roasted partri(^e, while listening 
to the shouts of the searchers, the pastor’s feet were 
again bathed and dried, and both lay down and were 
soon fast asleep. 

Jack managed to keep his guest sleeping nearly all 
day ; but just before dark, the coast being entirely 
clear, Mr. Woodbury put on the boots purloined from 
the landlord’s son, and donning Arden’s hat, he set 
out with Jack to visit the snares. 

After his hard journey the preceding night, the walk 
was just enough to tire the pastor, somewhat, and at 
dark, though very tired of lying in bed. Jack insisted 
upon retiring to rest, and a few minutes after, to the 
great satisfaction of the host, his guest fell into a quiet, 
refreshing sleep. 

The next morning. Jack arose, and a few minutes 


178 


FOKTUNES AND MISFOKTUNES. 


after, Mr. Woodbury awoke, and looked around, when, 
to the joy of the host, he discovered that the wild 
look had vanished from the pastor’s eyes. 

“My feet are a trifle sore,” said Mr. Woodbury, as 
he arose from his couch, “ and I think I will bathe them 
before I resume those boots. But where are my stock- 
ings ?” continued he, after washing and drying his feet. 
“Are those my slippers?” 

“ Yes,” replied Jack, “they are the clolih slippers 
you wore here. Your stockings I have washed and 
dried ; so they are ready to put on.” 

“ Let me see,” said Mr. Woodbury, putting his hand 
to his forehead; “ did I not run away from Ardenville? 
There was something very terrible about it; but I 
don’t seem to recollect precisely what it was. Was I 
not pursued ?” 

“ There were some men hunting for you,” replied 
Jack. 

“ Ah, yes; I recollect,” said Mr. Woodbury. “My 
memory is exceedingly poor, lately. I have an im- 
pression, my good friend, that I am to reside with you 
for an indefinite period.” 

“ Yes,” replied Jack ; “ as long as you wish. My fare 
is pretty plain, but it might be worse, and besides 
there is a heap of it, such as it is. As for rabbits, part- 


FOBTUNES AFTD MISFOBTUNES. 


179 


ridges and other forest game, there’s all we want, while 
oceans of fish are only waiting to be caught. I havn’t 
got much of the staff of life, however, and I therefore 
wish meal was more numerous.” 

“ Eave you no money to purchase meal?” 

“ Yes,” replied Jack ; but I am afraid to go out to 
purchase.” 

“ Yes, yes, my good friend, I had forgotten that you 
were averse to being recognized. We are in no very 
enviable position : yet in a far better situation than 
the wicked who are said to flee when no man pursueth; 
for we not only remained where we were, but slept in 
the midst of the enemy. It reminds me of the passage, 
‘ He giveth his beloved sleep.’ ” 

Jack occasionally looked up m surprise at the re- 
marks of his insane guest, and often concluded that 
reason had entirely the ascendant ; but wdien on the 
point of pronouncing him sane some singular act or 
peculiar speech would convince him that the mind of 
Mr. Woodbury was still very much confused. 

But Jack saw that his guest could be made useful 
as a teacher of grammar, pronunciation and elocution, 
and he did not hesitate to avail himself of the golden 
opportunity ; a masterly stroke of policy that proved 
of great value all through life. 


CHAPTER XXII. 


MR. WOODBURY AND JACK IN GREAT FOREST. 



FTER breakfast, Jack took down his fishing tackle 


JLIL and both host and guest went out. As they 
passed along, the sun, which was over an hour high, 
began to show itself above the hills which nearly sur- 
rounded the little valley on both sides of the river. 
The god of day twinkled, sparkled and smiled through 
the tall trees, as though he would be right glad to ob- 
tain a clear view of the vale. 

‘‘ Ah !” exclaimed the pastor, uncovering his head ; 
see how the sun struggles to light and warm the 
lowest vales of the benighted earth. In like manner 
the Sun of Righteousness is ever striving to light and 
warm the lowest depths of our benighted hearts. Do 
you note the battle waged between the sun on one side 
and these hills and trees on the other ? Mark how these 
immense rocks and giant oaks endeavor to beat back 
the rays of the sun ; and yet, behold, how through the 
little breaks the beams of the glorious luminary 
laugh at their feeble attempts I • Though for a time 


180 


FORTITNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


181 


the result of the contest may, to us, seem doubtful ; in 
its power and glory, the sun shall rise in majestic splen- 
dor, so far above all its opponents, that the very low- 
est recess of the valley shall smile amid the baptism of 
its vivifying beams of light. I love to look upon the 
rising sun ; it reminds me of a risen Saviour. And how 
often have I seen the vales of the heart, so surrounded 
with the hills and mountains of obstinacy, derision and 
unbelief, that for the time being, the beams of the Sun 
of Righteousness were apparently excluded. And 
again, as the sun rises above the hills, see his rays 
struggling through the trees of lying and profanity, or 
of thoughtlessness, vanity and pride. I say, that I have 
seen the beams of the Saviour’s love sparkling through 
these trees into the valley of the heart ; but, in his own 
good time, the Sun of Righteousness, in his upward 
flight, shall soar to the very zenith with healing in his 
wings, and the darkest recesses of the heart shall smile 
in the flood of his immortal light and love.” 

The preacher’s simile may appear somewhat too 
flowery for the ear of his auditor ; but during his leis- 
ure hours, Jack had been quite a student of the old 
coverless Bible and the favorite book on elocution. 
The reader will recollect that these two volumes were 
chosen in preference to all others on the night our 


182 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


young Crusoe appeared to tlie new chore boy at the 
barn. Having, as we have said, during his leisure 
hours, perused these books diligently. Jack not only 
understood the pastor’s meaning ; but even appreciated 
to a great extent, his glowing descriptions. 

I declare,” said Jack to himself, “ although he’s 
aflflicted pretty considerably with dictionary on the 
brain, I’ll own up that it’s rather a pleasant complaint, 
and furthermore I kinder like to listen to them ora- 
torial strains.” 

And did you never note,” continued Mr. Wood- 
bury, ‘‘ what a punctual riser the sun is? At its ap- 
pointed time, it invariably leaves the eastern horizon.” 

Yes,” replied Jack, “ I’ve often noticed that there 
is no postponement on account of the weather, so far 
as its actual rising is concerned ; and I’ve read, also, that 
both the rising and setting of the great luminary are 
regulated to a great extent by the almanac.” 

The last remark was a trifle too much for insanity 
itself, and the pastor indulged in a hearty laugh as 
he remarked, “ You have given the right meaning, per- 
haps, though the phraseology does not express the 
thought very clearly. Ah, what have we here ?” 

“ That,” replied Jack, pointing to an immense log, 
“ was intended for a fine log bridge ; but, as you see, 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


183 


one end is in the water, while the other looms up like 
a bowsprit. It is just long enough to reach across ; 
but I haven’t in my corporeal system, a sufficient quan- 
tity of strength to haul the other end on to terra firma. 
It would save me a good deal of tramping in crossing 
the river, which would be pretty convenient on a rainy 
day.” 

“ Suppose we unite our strength, my good friend.” 

“ So we might. You stay where you are a minute, 
and I’ll bring the clothes line.” 

“ Perhaps,” remarked Mr. Woodbury, smiling, “ we 
had better alter your phraseology, and say five minutes, 
which is as sooji as one can conveniently go and re- 
turn.” 

“ I’m inclined to imagine,” replied Jack, “ that you 
never beheld my supporters kinder annihilate time and 
space. But you just clap your optics upon my physi- 
cal system, as it sorter recedes from this locality, and 
you’ll see a man run, that can make a race horse fairly 
hang his head in shame.” And Jack set off at a pace 
that caused the spectator to exclaim in the words of 
Byron, In his limbs was the speed of thought.” 

When Jack returned, he ran a slipknot over the end 
of the log, and in a few minutes it was raised and placed 
in a position to form a foot bridge over the stream. 


184 


FORTUljrES AND MISFORTUNES. 


“ How much better the world would become,” re- 
marked Mr. Woodbury, as he surveyed the result of 
their united efforts, were all people to help one an- 
other instead of wasting their strength in applying 
kicks to every unfortunate neighbor who is going down 
the declivity of life, and pushing fortunate ones back. 
The world is filled, to use an expressive term, with 
misery as the result of our natural selfishness. It costs 
no more to lend a helping hand than to knock a bro- 
ther down — in the end not a thousandth part as much. 
Let any community adopt the rule of extending no 
help to the unfortunate, and no long period would 
elapse ere every individual would be numbered among 
the unfortunate; but let any community, however poor 
and miserable, adopt and carry out the principle of 
helping one another, and in a few short years, peace, 
prosperity and happiness, would be in the posssesion 
of all. But people, morally and spiritually blind, lead 
the way, and guides and followers invariably fall into 
the ditch. Righteous leaders, righteous rulers ; yes, 
righteousness exalteth a nation. Nothing but good- 
ness can ever lift a nation to the mount of prosperity 
and permanent glory and peace. United by love we 
stand ; but divided by hatred, we fall. A house di- 
vided against itself cannot stand ; and as the great 


FOBTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


185 


human edifice is at variance, it falls into misery. Di- 
vided we fall ; and so we behold fallen humanity, all 
around us, while those who stand totter as they walk.” 

‘‘ Yes,” added Jack, ‘‘ the whole question is illustrated 
by one of the remarks of a couple of drunken men 
helping each other along the sidewalk, ‘ United we 
stand, but divided we fall.’ ” 

‘‘ Ha ! ha ! ha ! A very pat illustration, Jack. We 
are all more or less drunk with misfortune, and as we 
stagger along the sidewalk of life, we are only saved 
from lying in the gutter of abject misery, by helping 
one another. But, my good friend, don’t imagine I 
have no faith in poor, fallen man. I know too well the 
value of scores, yes, hundreds of noble souls with whom 
I have come in contact during my life.” 

“ You needn’t be afraid of my mistaking your mean- 
ing,” replied Jack. “ You are speaking in what you 
call hyperboles, I suppose. Something in the way the 
farmer spoke of Chicago as a lying city. Or like the 
reply of the editor who asked, ‘ If you call Chicago a 
lying city, what shall we term the OUT-LYING dis- 
tricts?’ ” 

‘‘Hal ha! ha!” laughed Mr. Woodbury. “Yes, 
Jack, precisely so. And now, my good friend, one 
more fact lest you might not fully apprehend my opin- 


186 


FOBTUNES AND MISFOBTUNBS. 


ion of God’s workmanship. When He made the world 
and all things therein, He pronounced all good. Now 
to hear some people talk, one would imbibe the idea 
that they doubted God’s declaration. But they utterly 
fail to comprehend the idea of the fitness of things. A 
good dog would be a very poor elephant, and the best 
horse you ever saw would make an exceedingly bad 
house cat, while the most excellent cow in the world 
would not be fit to be called a man ; and last, but not 
least, Adam and all his posterity, however good they 
may be, are very poor angels.” 

‘H see it !” exclaimed Jack. “Sin is exceedingly 
sinful ; but what could we know of redeeming love 
had we been made machines instead of responsible ?” 

“ The true idea in a nutshell, my good friend. I’m 
not sure that you ought not to study for the ministry.” 

It was Jack’s turn to laugh heartily at what he con- 
sidered the most absurd idea in the world, little think- 
ing that he, years later, would not only enter the min- 
istry, but honor the profession. 

“ Strange things occur daily,” added Mr. Woodbury. 
“ And if such an event should take place, don’t let a 
grumbler escape you ; but whenever you hear a man 
finding fault with our Heavenly Father for not making 
us angels, instead of men, just ask him if he is so lazy 


FUETUNES AND MISFOETUNES. 


187 


that he wants God to breathe for him. We are all 
made a little lower than the angels ; but when we have 
fought the good hght, and come ofE more than conquer- 
ors through our Saviour, an angel (created an angel) 
would be but a mere pigmy beside us.’* 

‘‘ Amen !” exclaimed Jack. “ What a grand and 
glorious thing it is to be a man. And to think that I 
am a man, too. O, I never’ll grumble again as long as 
I live, God helping me.” 

“My good friend, I shall never be satisfied until 
you begin your studies for the ministry. But one 
more lesson. Whenever we help others we are the 
ones most assisted. I assisted you in the construction 
of this bridge ; but it is of far greater value to me than 
you.” 

The couple passed over the bridge, and for some 
time fished along the stream with varying success, 
when Jack informed his companion that he would 
visit a few snares which he missed the preceding eve- 
ning. 

“ And now,” continued Jack, “ as we are in constant 
danger, we might as well be on our guard, night and 
day. As you are not so quick on the foot as I am, I’m 
kinder fearful that some dastardly villain will nab you, 
and I guess you’d better not accompany me any far- 


188 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


ther. I will go and come alone. They can’t catch 
me, unless their limbs are manufactured of spring steel. 
They might surround me ; but even then they would 
have to be pretty nimble to lay violent hands on Jack 
Green. If I should crow so : [Here the speaker imi- 
tated Chanticleer so naturally as to astonish the lis- 
tener.] you just make tracks for the hut ; but be very 
careful that you don’t set a foot upon anything but 
stones after you reach the big oak tree by the brook. 
If they see a single foot-print, they’ll track you right 
to our hiding-place.” 

“I fully appreciate the necessity of your precaution- 
ary measures,” replied Mr. Woodbury, “and you shall 
be obeyed to the letter. However, your crowing 
sounds so like Chanticleer himself, that I fear I may 
mistake the sound for the voice pf the identical fowl.” 

“It won’t make any difference,” said Jack; “for 
there’s no chickens within four or five miles of us ; and 
so, when the mellifluous sound salutes your ears, beat 
a retreat.” 

“ Discretion, my good friend, is, in this case, the bet- 
ter part of valor.” 

Jack started off at a round pace ; but he had pro- 
ceeded only a short distance, when he saw a small party 
of men evidently scouring the woods. Jack uttered 


FOBTUNES AND MISEOBTUNES. 


189 


the required signal, and took a more minute survey of 
the group, which consisted of some half dozen men and 
boys. 

“ There is one little matter,” said Jack to himself, 
“ that must be settled in a pretty short space of period ; 
and I’ll settle the thing this very night.” 

Jack returned to his abode, where he found his guest 
anxiously awaiting his return. 

“ Have you a pencil about you?” asked Jack. 

“ Here is one,” replied Mr. Woodbury. 

“ Have you any paper ?” 

‘‘No — yes, I have.” And the pastor produced a 
small memorandum book. 

“ Do you want to keep that book ?” 

“ I’m not particular about it.” 

“ Then tear out a few leaves to keep, and write in it 
what I tell you, and let me have it.” 

But we will leave the reader in ignorance of what 
was written, and pass on to the next chapter. 


CHAPTER XXIH. 

MAUD, AEDEN AND JULIA. 

TN all my life,” said Arden, as he rose the next 
I morning, “ in all my life, I never before heard 
of anything so strange. We have searched not only 
Great Forest, but every other locality that we could 
think of, and, as yet, no clue regarding his whereabouts 
has been discovered. I am almost a believer in — 
Did you hear the door bell ring ?” 

“Yes,” replied Julia; “I will answer it.” 

A few minutes after, Arden was summoned to the 
sitting-room, where a farmer sat awaiting him. 

“ This little memorandum book,” said the farmer, 
“ I found on the bridge where Jack Green was mur- 
dered ; and here are some leaves that were scattered 
along the road. I’m not a good reader of writing ; but 
I made out that the book belonged to your former pas- 
tor, and I’m afraid he has drowned himself. I thought 
I’d better show it to you, and let you break it to his 
«vife.” 

“Read it,” said Julia. 

190 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


191 


Arden glanced at one of the leaves and read as fol- 
lows : 

“ I have walked a long distance ; but the time has 
now come to follow my friend Jack. 

Farewell. 

GEORGE WOODBURY.” 

“ Good heavens I it is too true,” exclaimed Arden. 
“ He has indeed drowned himself.” 

Are you sure of the hand- writing ?” asked Julia. 

“ Yes,” replied Arden, “ and here are some half-dozen 
copies that we might be sure to find one.” 

“ Here,” added the farmer, is also a piece of cloth 
that I found hanging to the very corner of the bridge 
where your chore boy was thrown in.” 

Both Arden and Julia examined the remnant, and 
found it to be a part of Mr. Woodbury’s dressing 
gown. 

It is too horrible,” cried Arden, as the farmer left 
the house, “ it is too horrible to think of, and I must 
break it to my sister, and she is his murderer.” 

Charles ! Charles !” said Julia, softly, as she took 
his arm, “ remember how much she has already suf- 
fered, and how greatly her misery will be increased by 
these tidings. She was foolish ; so w^as he. Both 
can justly claim pity and love. Harshness can do no 


192 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


good, while sympathy may accomplish much. Let us 
speak and act kindly to the erring. However much 
we may loathe the sin, it is still our duty to love the 
sinner. Our blessed Lord and Saviour died for us 
while we were yet sinners, and we can safely trust to 
the result of following his example. No, you must 
not, and I know you will not go to her with tlie 
least particle of anger in your heart ; on the contrary, 
you will go to your only sister, whom you are bound to 
love, if all others forsake, and you will go with a bro- 
ther’s affection and sympathy, which she so much needs 
in this trying hour.” 

“ Julia,” exclaimed Arden, ‘‘you are an angel.” 

“ No, no, not an angel, but a weak, frail, erring mor- 
tal, who, feeling her own need of sympathy, pleads for 
a sinner like herself.” 

“ No, Julia, not like you ; for there is not another 
woman like you except it be your mother. But you 
have conquered, and I will do all you say.” 

A few minutes after, Arden broke the sad news to 
his sister, and, as he witnessed the terrible agony that 
filled her whole being, he felt that his wife was right. 

The river was dragged ; but it is needless to say that 
nothing more pertaining to the missing man was found. 

The next Sabbath, a funeral discourse was preached 


FORTUKES AND MISFORTUNES. 


193 


by Mr. Ernest, in which he attempted to administer 
consolation to every mourner ; but there was one who 
was not comforted. 

At the command of the wife, the library and bed- 
room, which Mr. Woodbury had occupied, were suffer- 
ed to remain just as when he left them. Even the boots, 
that lay near the easy chair, were not removed from the 
place where he had laid them when he had returned 
from the sewing circle. The horse, which her husband 
had owned before marriage, was, by the wife’s orders, 
carefully groomed for the sake of the departed. Prince 
was so highly fed, and exercised so little, that it be- 
came dangerous to go near him, and he at last kicked 
the new chore boy so violently that his arm was bro- 
ken. The boy vowed vengeance ; but Maud insisted 
that the horse should not be struck, and finally com- 
promised the matter by paying the doctor’s bill, allow- 
ing him full wages while sick, and adding quite a sum 
of money. From that time, however, Arden took care 
that the horse should be properly exercised, and Prince 
was, ever after, a very civil, well-behaved animal. 


CHAPTER XXIV. 


THE BEST OF FRIENDS SOMETIMES QUARREL. 

A FEW days after the funeral, Mrs. Linton, who 
had not visited Maud for some time, called, as 
she expressed it, to offer her sympathy. The votary 
of fashion expected to be received very coldly ; but to 
her surprise, the imaginary widow received her very 
politely, though not after the cordial manner of old. 

You have met with a great loss,” said Mrs. Linton, 
‘‘ and I sympathize deeply with you in your affliction.” 

“ I feel,” replied Maud, “that I need the sympathy 
of all ; yet I cannot say that I deserve the love of 
any.” 

“ You must not talk so,” broke in Mrs. Linton. “ So 
good a creature as you always were, should have all 
the love we can bring. Always so kind and thought- 
ful of your husband, and — ” 

“ Mrs. Linton,” replied Maud, in a freezing tone, 
“ can you speak to my face of any goodness I ever man- 
ifested towards that good and noble man who became 
my husband ?” 

194 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


196 


Mrs. Linton looked up in astonishment at the fail- 
ure of flattery to move her former shadow, while Maud, 
who had at first only intended to administer a mild 
rebuke, became excited by her own words, and in an 
indignant tone, continued : “ It is sufficiently des- 

picable to have embittered the greater part of my life, 
and brought me to the lowest depths of meanness ; but 
when you tell me of a kindness to my husband which 
I never manifested, it cannot be otherwise than that I 
see before me one whose soul is more polluted than 
my own wicked heart.” 

‘‘What!” exclaimed the astonished lady, in a high 
and angry key ; “do you mean to insinuate that — ” 

“No,” broke in Maud, in a still more cutting tone ; 
“ I have done with all insinuations. I only mean to 
say, in the plainest possible manner, that you have not 
only insulted me; but you have done still worse.” 

“ Why, child,” exclaimed Mrs. Linton, who thought 
to cower the frail being before her, “ you talk like a 
school girl.” 

“ Ah !” said Maud, “ would that I were as pure as 
when I sat in the little red school-house. Would that 
I were as pure as when you came to our village. Then 
I was comparatively good ; but you wound your coil 
around me, and finally succeeded in crushing from my 


196 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


heart every truly noble aspiration. This is your do- 
ing and it is marvelous in mine eyes.” 

“Don’t distort Scripture,” interposed Mrs. Linton. 

“Distort Scripture !” exclaimed Maud, in her hon- 
est indignation. “You wicked hypocrite !” 

‘‘ Fool !” cried Mrs. Linton, stamping her foot, and 
raising her hand as though she would strike down the 
weak creature before her. 

“ Strike, if you wish,” said Maud, in the same icy 
tone. It will be merciful compared to your former 
conduct. I tell you plainly, that you have not only 
ruined me ; but murdered my good, my noble hus- 
band.” 

Was it possible that the fashionable, easy, polite and 
affable Mrs. Linton, could ever be betrayed into such 
a towering passion? It does sometimes happen that, 
under peculiar and, especially, under unexpected cir- 
cumstances, the most guarded people forget themselves, 
and Mrs. Linton was not exempt from the failing so 
common to humanity. Maud's last sentence was the 
additional straw that broke the camel's back, and Mrs. 
Linton sprung at the speaker like a tigress. 

Maud stood, seemingly oblivious of all danger, when 
Mrs. Linton was suddenly grasped firmly by the'shoul- 
der and pushed aside, and looking up, the two women 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


197 


beheld ’Squire Benson standing before them with a 
countenance as calm and serene as a May morning. 
How he came, or how long he had been listening, 
neither knew, yet there he was. 

Mrs. Linton did not regret being restrained from 
striking ; but, to be seen in such an attitude, was too 
much, and, in a theatrical manner, for she was only 
acting, she raised her finger threateningly as she ex- 
claimed : “ What ! a CHURCH member, a gentleman 
lay violent hands upon a lady whose person should be 
sacred from rude touch ? Thou worm of the dust ! 
But you shall rue this day. That weak, despicable 
creature I can forgive, but not the strong man who 
lays his ruthless hand upon my person.” 

“Excuse me,” Mrs. Woodbury,” said ’Squire Ben- 
son, as Mrs. Linton strode out of the house ; “ I was 
conversing with the cook in regard to Jack, when hear- 
ing angry words, she became frightened and besought 
me to learn the cause, and, under the impulse of the 
moment, I obeyed.” 

“ No excuses are necessary,” replied Maud : “ on the 
contrary, I feel under great obligations for your timely 
aid. I believe she was about to strike. But did you 
hear any part of our conversation ?” 

“Pardon me, Mrs. Woodbury, when I own that I 


198 


FOETUNES AND MISFOETXJNES. 


did ; and excuse me, also, for saying that I was sorry 
to hear you use harsh words, even to her ; for it is not 
the way to purify her heart. Remember, it is the 
goodness of God that leads to repentance, while harsh 
words, almost invariably, stir up anger. She is almost 
the only person I ever met who seemed almost too low 
to notice ; but, when I think that my dear Saviour 
died even for her, I can only say, let us speak in sor- 
row, but not in anger.” 

‘‘ And must I love even her to be a Christian?” 

“ To be a true one, you must.” 

‘‘And can you truly say that you love her ?” 

“ I can hardly tell myself ; but then I am trying to, 
and I can say that, at least, I bear her no ill-will, and 
I pity her very much.” 

“ ’Squire Benson, do you think you could teach me 
to be a Christian?” 

“ I trust that you are one.” 

“ No ! no ! I am not. You know not the wicked- 
ness of my heart.” 

“ Mrs. Woodbury, I think I know your heart, and I 
have known the evil influence that surrounded you. 
You have suffered much, and perhaps your sufferings 
will continue for a long time; yet I trust a brighter 
day will dawn upon your pathway. Leave the evil 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNKS. 


199 


past, and press forward to the great future before you. 
It is a good thing to repent of our sins in sackcloth 
and ashes; but do not forget it is only when we think 
of some of the God-given impulses of our hearts, and 
put them into practice, that we are what the Lord 
Jesus would have us all become. Sincere repentance 
is the first step in the way of the Christ-life ; but let 
any person dwell too long on his or her own sins, and 
pure, unadulterated evil will be the inevitable result. 
We cultivate our taste for the beautiful by gazing and 
thinking upon beautiful objects. Look at ugly things 
only just long enough to be repelled by their deform- 
ity, lest one forget how much beauty there is, and sink 
without effort in what appears the surrounding ocean 
of evil.” 

“ Thank you a thousand times I” said Maud. “And, 
God helping me, I will profit by your advice.” 


CHAPTER XXV. 

MR. WOODBURY AND JACK STILL IN GREAT FOREST. 

J ACK saw clearly that he was capable of exerting a 
great influence over Mr. Woodbury. He saw that 
from some cause his guest seemed to rely implicitly 
upon his judgment and friendship. Now, Jack recol- 
lected to have read that insanity was often the result 
of a want of sleep, and he determined that, if slumber 
would effect a cure, he. would manage to keep the 
lunatic in the arms of Morpheus twelve hours out of 
every twenty-four, and he fully succeeded. 

‘‘Sometimes,” remarked Mr. Woodbury, as in one of 
their rambles they crossed a small brook, “ sometimes 
I think you are mistaken in the idea that such an im- 
mense amount of sleep is required to fit us for our 
Crusonian duties. Look at this little stream ; see 
how swiftly it runs, and behold how pure and trans- 
parent the liquid ; and thus we always find it. The 
sparkling rills and larger streams, which dance and 
ripple down the hillside, are always more pure than 
stagnant water. We are not averse to quenching our 
200 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


201 


thirst from the stream whose waters are always in 
motion, and yet we are always loth to taste the water 
that has lain dormant for any length of time. Run- 
ning brooks purify themselves by motion, while stag- 
nant pools become impure simply by remaining quiet. 
Cisterns, containing no foul matter, become foul by 
their very stillness, and yet, with a long pole, or by 
any other means, agitate the water sufficiently, and it 
again becomes clear and good. A sluggish Christian 
must inevitably become a backslider ; but show me 
the convert that is always doing something to advance 
the cause of religion, and I will show you a Christian 
who has, as yet, shown no disposition to fall away 
from the faith.” 

“ But,” replied Jack, “ I guess you forget that here 
we need about as much health as we can conveniently 
carry about us, and if we don’t have it, we can’t live 
here. See what sleep has done for me. Wild deer 
would envy me my speed, if they could but cast a few 
glances at my corporeal system when I am scudding it 
what I call big. Your idea is a mighty good thing for 
a Christian ; but when a man makes his abode in 
Great Forest, he’s got to play a different tune on his 
violin.” 

“ But, my good friend, you would not have me lay 
aside any part of my religion ?” 


202 


FOKTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


“No, Mr. Woodbury, I want you to preserve the 
whole amount of that article about your clothes. I’m 
talking about our bodies, and not about our souls. 
Fact is, I can’t see how a little more sleep will despoil 
a man of his piety ; that is, if his occupation asks him 
for it.” 

“ If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God,” said 
Mr. Woodbury ; “ and the Good Book says : ‘A little 
more sleep, a little more slumber, a little more folding 
of the hands to sleep : so shall poverty come upon thee 
as a thief in the night, and want as an armed man.’ ” 

“That’s all first rate,” replied Jack, “and Solomon 
was a very wise man to say so ; but then he must have 
known that there are exceptions to all rules of that 
kind ; and it’s my opinion that if he’d ever been 
located in these woods, he would have been mightily 
impressed with a notion it was a tremendous exception 
to his general rule.” 

“ Well, well, my friend, I suppose you must be cor- 
rect ; for experience is the best schoolmaster ; and I 
shall certainly rely upon your superior judgment until 
I learn for myself.” 

There were various methods adopted by Jack to 
induce his companion to take a large amount of sleep. 
Just before retiring for the night, Mr. Woodbury in- 


FOETTJNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


203 


variably read a chapter from Jack’s coverless Bible ; 
but as no lights, save pine knots, were furnished, he 
was obliged to read by daylight, and the result was, 
that at dark both the pastor and his young friend were 
sound asleep, and, furthermore, as the latter took 
especial pains to darken the hut, they often slept till 
long after sunrise. As we have also intimated, dark- 
ness came earlier and sunrise later, owing to their 
situation between the surrounding hills covered with 
tall trees, and twelve hours sleep were regularly ob- 
tained , which, in a few days, wrought a great change 
in the guest ; but still, for a long time, there were no 
signs of returning sanity. True, the extreme excita- 
bility and nervousness of Mr. Woodbury had disap- 
peared ; but his manner resembled more nearly the 
child than the full grown man. 

Days and even weeks passed, and Jack had nearly 
relinquished all hope of the appearance of returning 
reason, when, one morning, upon waking at a late hour, 
he discovered his companion still wrapped in slumber. 
He quietly arose, and having dressed himself, stepped 
from the hut. He performed his morning ablutions, 
and obtained some water for breakfast, when he re- 
turned to the cabin to find the pastor still sleeping. 
Jack ate his breakfast in silence, and again went out 


204 


FORTUNES AND MSFORTUNES. 


and seated himself not far from the door ; but after 
waiting for some time, and hearing nothing from his 
guest, he took a bow and some arrows, and went just 
outside of his enclosure to practice firing at a mark. 
He became so interested in the sport, that it was nearly 
noon before he thought of returning to the hut, and 
when he did so, he found the pastor still asleep. Jack 
ate dinner, and thinking it best to remain in the 
cabin, took the Bible and sat down to read. A short 
time after, the sleeper opened his eyes, gaped, stretched 
out his limbs, turned in his bed, and again closed his 
eyes in sleep. 

Something is going to happen,” said Jack to him- 
self, and turning over a leaf in the volume before him, 
he read on. 

About the middle of the afternoon, the sleeper again 
awoke and looked around the hut, as he asked, “ Where 
am I and what has happened ?” 

“ You have been taking a pretty considerable long 
nap,” replied Jack. “ Hadn’t you better go to sleep 
again ?” 

Taking a long sleep?” repeated the pastor, How 
long have I slept?” 

“ None too long. I think you had better go to sleep 
again.” 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


205 


“ But where am I ? and how came I here ?” 

That is a long story,” replied Jack, “ and I think 
we’ll omit it just now. So just go to sleep again, and 
we will talk it over by and by.” 

“But I cannot sleep until I know what all this 
means.” 

“ Don’t you know that you’re in Great Forest ?” 

“ I know nothing of this location.” 

“Well, then,” said Jack, who thought he saw that 
his visitor was now sane, “ you have lived with me 
more than a month in this hut. You were insane when 
you came ; but I’m thinking that your mind is all right 
now.” 

“ But how came I here ?” 

“You ran away from Arden ville one night, and com- 
ing here, you begged me to let you live with me.” 

Mr. Woodbury closed his eyes a moment, saying, 
“ Yes, I have a faint recollection of something of the 
kind, though it seems more like a troubled dream than 
a reality. But why have I been allowed to remain 
here ? Why have my friends suffered me to reside in 
the woods ?” 

“ That’s a long story,” replied Jack ; “ but when they 
found you had left, they did -hunt for you until they 
supposed you were drowned, and I think your funeral 


206 


FOETUNES A2TD MISEOETUNES. 


sermon has been preached by Mr. Ernest. I hope you’ll 
forgive me ; but you begged so hard to be allowed to 
live with me, that, at last, I consented ; yet, even then, 
with the hope of curing you of your insanity ; and, 
blessed be God, I have done it!” 

“ You have indeed,” replied Mr. Woodbury; “and 
if an opportunity of repaying you presents itself, I will 
do anything for you in my power.” 

“ You have paid me ten times over, and I’m think- 
ing I am your debtor.” 

“No! no! Jack, I am greatly YOUE debtor, and I 
trust I shall show my gratitude by and by. And so 
my friends supposed me drowned ?” 

“ Yes, all but myself.” 

“ And how comes it that you are residing here like 
a hermit ? 

“ They think I’m drowned, also.” Jack here related, 
in brief, the circumstances connected with his taking 
up his residence in Great Forest. 

“ I have a dreamy recollection of your leaving also.” 

Jack now narrated the story of the pastor’s first 
visit to his hut. 

“ I recollect that, now that you mention it,” replied 
Mr. Woodbury ; “ but why did I run away ?” 

“I — I — hardly dare tell you.” 


FORTUNES AND MTSFORTUNES. 


207 


‘‘ I have a faint recollection of something,” said Mr. 
Woodbury, that seems like a terrible nightmare. How- 
ever, if you are really aware of the cause, I hope you 
will not hesitate to inform me of what you know.” 

Here Jack, after many excuses and expressed fears 
as to the propriety of such a course, told his unvar- 
nished tale, while his listener drank in every word. 

“ Have you ever spoken of this to any one?” asked 
Mr. Woodbury. 

‘‘ Not a word,” replied Jack, “ althpugh Mr. Arden 
tried very hard to induce me to tell him.” 

‘‘ Did he suspect nothing ?” 

“ I don’t think he did.” 

“ Well, my young friend, I am truly grateful to you 
for keeping the secret locked in your own breast, and 
if to others you will still remain silent on this subject, 
I shall be placed under still greater obligations to you. 
I shall probably leave '^this part of the country for the 
W est ; at least, an idea of that kind has entered my 
head since I have been conversing with you. I shall 
undoubtedly leave for some distant locality in a few 
days, and I trust that you will allow my whereabouts to. 
remain a secret until I give you liberty to speak of it 
to my friends. But, my friend, you have nothing to 
fear, and I advise you to return to Ardenville.” 


208 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


“And I’m going to Ardenville and return to-mor- 
row,” replied Jack. “ If things look squally, I must 
go West with you or go to sea. But I — I cannot go 
before seeing Mr. Arden, ’Squire Benson and — and 
— Ella Bright. I would die rather than part with that 
little — little — Well, never mind; but may I speak 
— to you freely regarding your habits, and offer a 
little wholesome, healthy, sane advice?” 

“Why, certainly you may, Jack.” 

“Then I willr And pardon me ; but in the name 
of common sense never again neglect to obtain an 
^ immense amount of sleep, and to take lots of healthy 
exercise in the open air. It’s a miracle that you have 
stood, so long, the terrible strain upon your mental 
and physical powers. At first I laid all your misfort- 
unes solely to your -wife, whom I could have almost 
murdered. Well, I dislike her now : but let us give 
the dev — Yes ; let us be just. She realized that you 
were killing yourself ; and she did try hard, in her 
own way, to save you. And, moreover, I know" she 
loved you as she loved her very eyes ; while no wife 
in all Ardenville was more proud of her husband. 
There, there, forgive me : I never meant to say half 
what I have, and I’m done.” 


CHAPTER XXVI. 

jack’s eeturn. 

T he next morning Jack started for Ardenville. He 
had proceeded as far as Forest River, and had 
stopped for a moment at the turn in 'the road, where 
he left poor Fashion dead, when, hearing the clatter 
of a horse’s hoofs, he looked up, and saw Arden, mount- 
ed upon Prince, just turning the corner within a rod 
of him. His first impulse was to turn and flee ; but 
the next moment Arden leaped from his horse, and en- 
folding Jack in his arms, exclaimed — 

‘‘My dear boy, is it you? Are you really alive? 
Heaven be praised! One more blessing and earth 
would be a paradise to us all ; but Brother W oodbury 
can never be restored to us. But, Jack, I never entirely 
gave you up ; for I thought that some day in the future 
you would return. Why did you not come back be- 
fore ?” 

“ Oh, forgive me,” cried Jack; “but I did not dare 
to.” 


209 


210 


FORTUNES ANE MISFORTUNES. 


When we all loved you so,” said Arden ; and we 
so longed to see you ? What had you to fear?” 

‘‘ The killing of poor Fashion,” replied Jack. 

‘‘ Is it possible you knew so little the feelings of 
our hearts?” said Arden. ‘‘The accidental death of 
a thousand horses would not have turned us against 
you.” 

“ Forgive me, Mr. Arden ; but, after all, it may re- 
sult in the greatest good. I feel as though the hand of 
Providence had the directing of my footsteps, and that 
all was for the best, and will yet prove to have been for 
the highest interests of us all.” 

“ God grant that it may !” replied Mr. Arden ; “ but, 
dear Jack, never allow anything in the future to cause 
you to distrust our unalterable friendship.” 

“ I never will,” replied Jack, dashing away the tears 
which gathered faster and faster as he perceived the 
great love cherished for him, and the great interest 
manifested in his welfare. 

The couple walked to Ardenville, leading Prince ; 
the animal recognized his old keeper and rubbed his 
head against Jack, who, in turn, often patted the horse 
very affectionately. 

Arden and J ack talked incessantly all the way, each 
asking and answering questions. Arden informed Jack 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


211 


of the principal events that had occurred during his 
absence, while the latter related the main features of 
his career in Great Forest, avoiding, however, all allu- 
sions to his connection with Mr. Woodbury, while 
there. Jack laughed at Mr. Bright’s ghost; but when 
he told Arden the story of his adventures with the chore 
boy, they both laughed till the tears came. 

“ But, Jack,” said Arden, “I have been more than 
surprised at your language. My wonder is greatly ex- 
cited to know how you have accumulated so much learn- 
ing since you left. The improvement in your speech 
is truly remarkable.” 

“ I am truly thankful, if such is the fact,” replied 
Jack ; but in Great Forest, having oceans of leisure 
time which hung very heavily on my hands, I spent 
many hours, almost every day, in studying that old 
book on elocution, and the coverless Bible I took from 
the barn on the night my ghost appeared to the chore 
boy” 

Jack felt almost guilty of falsehood and ingratitude, 
as he remembered how much he also owed to the so- 
ciety and aid of Mr. Woodbury ; but for this assistance 
he meant to give due credit at the first suitable oppor- 
tunity. 

At this moment they saw, just ahead of them, the 


212 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


new chore boy, who had been induced to return to the 
service of Arden. 

The boy, who, of course, knew nothing of Jack’s re- 
turn, no sooner caught sight of him, than he set off at 
full speed. But he might as well have attempted to 
escape the pursuit of a greyhound; for before he had 
run a half dozen rods, he found himself fast in the 
clutches of what he imagined to be Jack’s ghost. 

‘‘ Lord, have mercy on me !” exclaimed the fright- 
ened boy. 

“You soft-pated, butter-hearted boy !” cried Jack, 
“ do you take me for a ghost ?” 

“ What is the matter ?” asked Arden, who came up 
at this moment. 

“You will recollect,” replied Jack, “ that in relat- 
ing my adventures, I alluded, in no friendly way, to this 
chicken-hearted, horse-starving scamp.” 

“ Mercy ! mercy !” cried the boy. 

“Close that mouth of yours ; you boy,” said Jack. 
“ There was, to be sure, an angel that once wrestled 
with Jacob, but as you are not a second Jacob, you 
need feel no alarm about any such manifestations. I 
tell you I’m flesh and blood. Do you suppose a spirit 
would appear to you, clothed in a coat and pants ? But, 
as Mr. Lazelle would say, it reminds me of that passage 
of Scripture, ‘ The fools are not all dead yet.” 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


213 


This hit at Mr. Lazelle’s misquotations, was too 
much for Arden, who roared with laughter. When he 
had suflBciently controlled his merriment to speak, he 
informed the new boy that Jack would take his place, 
and that, if he would call in the morning, his wages 
would be handed him. 

Jack released his hold on the boy ; when, without 
saying a word, the lad started off like a rocket, and was 
soon Out of sight. A few minutes after, Jack knocked 
at Mrs. W oodbury’s mansion, and the cook opened the 
door. Giving one look, she screamed, and, without 
stopping to close the entrance, turned and fled. Now 
the chambermaid, who, by the way, prided herself upon 
her extreme neatness, had just been taking a bath in a 
large tub of water, which she had loft standing in the 
middle of the room. 

“ What IS the matter?” she exclaimed, as the fright- 
ened cook came rushing into the apartment. 

“Oh!” cried the cook, “I’m so frightened I Oh, I 
shall faint I” And, with this exclamation, thinking 
she was seating herself upon some suitable article of 
furniture, the woman dropped into the tub of soap 
suds. 

“ You filthy thing!” cried the maid, “ Did you never 
wash before ? Do you think the only way to clean 


211 


FOIiTXJNES AWD MISFORTUNES. 


yourself is to jump into a bathing tub with all your 
clothes on your back ? May the Lord have mercy on 
such dirty folks 

The cook gave little heed to the inquiries of the 
chambermaid ; but, leaping from the water, stood gaz- 
ing at the door in the direction of the hall, “ looking,” 
to use the language of the maid, “ for all the world, 
like an immense rat that had just escaped drowning.” 

“ What are you looking at?” cried the maid. You’d 
better look at yourself. Oqt of the room, you dirty 
thing ! You’ll cover the floor with suds.” 

At this moment, Jack appeared at the door, when, 
uttering another frightful scream, the cook rushed be- 
hind the chambermaid, who, also catching sight of the 
apparition, attempted to escape from the room ; but, 
in her fright, she stumbled and fell. 

Is it you?” exclaimed the maid, looking wildly at 
Arden, who had raised her from the floor. Why, I 
thought it was Jack.” 

At this moment, the cook gave another scream, and, 
turning her head, the maid beheld the other female in 
the arms of the ghost. The maid attempted to flee, 
while the cook struggled to escape from the iron grasp 
of the apparition ; but at last, entirely exhausted, the 
cook began to listen to reason, while, assured by Ar- 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


215 


den of the reality of Jack’s appearance^ the maid took the 
hand of the returned wanderer, and peace and joy ruled 
the hour. 

And now, instead of in a preface generally skipped, 
just here seems a good opportunity to state that were 
every reader of Building to Win interested in its hu- 
mor, trying ordeals, plots and adventures, nevertheless, 
the reward of the writer would come from the benefit 
derived by those thoughtful readers, however few, who 
understand that, while dollar-prosperity and an animal’s 
happiness may come through chance and crime, true 
SUCCESS and that peace which passeth all understanding 
are won by building upon character,. the victorious way 
open to all. And if, through this story, more moral and 
spiritual eyes shall be opened to behold what true suc- 
cess and true happiness really are, this book will have 
fu Ifilled its chief mission. As herein abundantly illus 
trated, the royal road to true success is equally availa- 
ble to high, low, rich and poor, the only requisite qual- 
ification being that living faith which, in due time, ren. 
ders its possessor faithful to goodness, helpful. Again, 
as shown in this story, such success is never dependent 
upon doing anything remarkable, neither is wealth nor 
station necessary to insure the greatest of victories. 


CHAPTER XXVII. 

JACK AND THE PENITENT WIFE. 

I T is needless, perhaps, to speak of the kind recep- 
tion which Jack received on every hand, of the 
affectionate meeting with ’Squire Benson, or of the 
warm greeting from Mrs. Arden, and the tender pres- 
sure of the hand from Mrs. Woodbury, which surpris 
ed him more than anything else. 

“ I am very happy to meet you J ack,” said Maud, 
“ and especially as a friend of my husband.” 

“ Thank you,” replied Jack ; “ you are all very kind. 
I did not dare to come home on account of your brother, 
Mr. Arden ; yet, how little I knew of his feelings ! I 
ought to have known Mr. Arden better, when he was 
always so kind ; but I never had a friend who treated 
me with such constant and extreme kindness as Mr. 
Woodbury. He was a good man, if one ever lived.’’ 

“ Yes,” replied Maud, ‘‘ he was too good to endure 
the heavy trials he bore. But we never know the true 
worth of a friend until we lose him.” 

“Good!” thought Jack to himself; “I’ll draw her 

216 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


217 


out this time if I never do again. I do believe she is 
truly sorry for what she has done. How pale and mis- 
erable she looks ! I declare if I don’t pity the poor 
thing. I’ll wager my head that she would give her very 
eyes to have her husband restored to her.” 

“ You have met with a great loss,” said Jack ; “ for 
I know the worth of the one who is gone.” 

“Yes, yes,” replied Maud, her eyes filling with tears, 
“ he was too good for me.” 

“ And yet I know that you would make almost any 
sacrifice, could he be restored to you once more.” 

“ Could I but see him once again, alive and happy, 
though it be but for an hour, I would freely give up 
my poor existence.” 

“Do you mean all that you say?” cried Jack, forget- 
ing himself in the excitement of the moment. 

“Yes!” replied Maud, gazing inquiringly at the in- 
terrogator, “ yes, a thousand times yes I Had I a 
thousand lives, I would give them all for his sake.” 

Jack jumped to his feet, exclaiming, “ Then, as sure 
as there is a heaven, you shall see — ” 

Here he checked himself, and was about to offer some 
excuses, when Maud grasped him by both hands, and 
gazing into his face as though she would fathom his 
very soul, she said, in a beseeching tone, “ Speak I 


218 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


What would you say ? Does my husband still live ? 
Tell me that he still lives, and I will find him though he 
be at the ends of the earth.” 

Sit down, Mrs. Woodbury,” said Jack, “while I 
speak a few words. But first promise me that you will 
never breathe a syllable of what I am going to say, 
even to your most intimate friends — no, not to Mr. 
Arden himself.” 

“ I promise anything you wish, if it will not keep me 
from my husband,” replied Maud, still gazing into the 
face of J ack, who began : 

“ Mrs. Woodbury, first of all, let me say that I know 
pretty nearly all about your husband’s troubles; not 
by anything from him ; but I was not entirely blind 
while I worked here. I hated you about as intensely, 
no, I mean badly ; for no one can hate without hat- 
ing badly ; I say I hated you about as BADLY as I ever 
hated anybody ; but I think I will show you, before 
many days, that all my enmity is gone.” 

“ Yes,” said Maud, “ I acted very wickedly ; but I 
have suffered more than tongue can tell.” 

“ I know it. In fact, I see it now. But could you 
be happy, were he to return ?” 

“ 0, how happy ! He is more than a thousand lives 
to me. T even kneeled to him, on the night he left me, 


FORTIJKES A.KD MISFORTUNES. 


219 


hoping that I might be restored to his confidence ; but 
his mind was crazed, and darting from the room, he 
went away. But do not keep me longer in suspense. 
Tell me that he still lives.” 

“I have but little more to say,” replied Jack. ‘‘I 
will only add, that, if you say nothing to any one con- 
cerning our conversation, I am confident that you will 
soon see your husband, not only well in body, but 
clothed and in his right mind.” 

“ Then you have seen him ?” 

‘‘lam not at liberty to say,” replied Jack; “but 
you will recollect that his body was not found any 
more than my own, and furthermore, no one knows 
where I lived in Great Forest, and it is not at all im- 
probable that your husband and myself have resided 
together for the few past weeks.” 

“Surely, you would not give me false hopes? I 
can certainly trust you ?” 

“Trust me? Assuredly, though my tongue is tied. 
Again, suppose that the very belief that you knew of 
his existence would cause him to leave for some dis- 
tant place, how much better it would be to try some 
other method.” 

“ You are right, and I will submit to your guidance ; 
but, if he is still in the forest, I must, at least, insist 


220 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


upon your going often to visit him. Why not go now ? 
I will drive you there.” 

“ I will do as you wish,” replied Jack ; “ and, as it 
is nearly dark, I will harness Prince at once. And 
we ought to look up a complete suit of his clothes to 
take with us.” 

Soon after, Jack, accompanied by Maud, rode to the 
edge of the great wood, when he alighted from the 
carriage, and turned the horse toward Ardenville. 

‘‘ But must I return alone ?” exclaimed Maud. ‘‘ Is 
it not possible to see my husband ?” 

“You must return without him,” replied Jack, and 
the next moment he plunged into the forest, while 
Maud, seeing no other alternative, returned home. 



CHAPTER XXVHL 

JACK AND ME. WOODBUEY. 

M r. WOODBURY had retired for the night, and 
was just sinking into a quiet sleep, when, to his 
surprise, he heard what he imagined to be the voice of 
Chanticleer, and the next moment he distinguished a 
well-known step, while, almost at the same instant, the 
voice of Jack saluted his ears. 

Mr. Woodbury arose and opened the door, as he ex- 
claimed, ‘‘What news?” 

“ Plenty of news that will take me an age to tell ; 
but if you will promise to sleep till noon to-morrow, I 
will state the whole in brief, before I go to bed ; for I 
must return to Arden ville by sunrise.” 

“By the way. Jack, that was a queer argument of 
yours on sleep ; but let that pass, and give me the 
news.” 

Jack then proceeded to narrate some of the events 
connected with his visit to Ardenville. “ And now,” 
continued Jack, “ I have news from your wife,” and he 

221 


222 


FOKTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


proceeded to relate the conversation with her, and the 
manner of his conveyance to the woods. 

“ My dear friend,” said Mr. Woodbury, when Jack 
had finished, “ my dear friend, you have awakened, 
within my breast, feelings that I had vainly imagined 
to be on the point of dying out ; but the tumult that 
exists in my bosom tells me that I may for the time 
being smother, but cannot annihilate them. I had 
thought to go from here, and at the same time leave 
behind me the greater pait of the load I still carry in 
my heart ; and even now I think I must go — ” 

“No! no I’ exclaimed Jack ; “you must return to 
Ardenville. She has suffered so much, that I pity her 
. from the bottom of my heart. If you could, only for a 
moment, have looked upon her pale, unhappy face, I 
think you would have received her back at once.” 

“ I cannot I I cannot I” replied Mr. Woodbury. “ She 
is perhaps, yes, I doubt not that she is sincere ; yet the 
feeling is only momentary ; for the very moment Mrs. 
Linton attempts it, she will rule her as she has done. 
Were it not for that woman, I could trust her; but 
you have no substantial proof that my wife has so far 
reformed, that she will not again return to the beg- 
garly elements of worldly pride.” 

“ I grant it all,” replied Jack ; “ but I have read, in 


FOUTUNES AND MISPOKTUNES. 


223 


the good book you love so well, that, though their sins 
be as scarlet, yet shall they be made whiter than snow.” 

Enough ! enough ! my good friend ; I ask only one 
more proof. Go tell ’Squire Benson ; and if he bids 
me return, I will go ; for he is never wrong.” 

^^Then,” replied Jack, ‘‘you will return as sure as 
the sun rises to-morrow.” 

By daylight Jack returned to Ardenville. He had, 
however, hardly commenced feeding the horse, when 
Maud came out to greet him. 

“ Have you seen him ?” asked she. 

‘‘Never mind as to that,” replied Jack; “but I 
think he will return to-morrow. Why, what is the 
matter ? Are you ill ? I was too blunt, and I ought 
to have been more careful.” 

“ Never mind ; I am better now. But will he cer- 
tainly come to-morrow?” 

“ Perhaps he will come to-day. Don’t faint now, or 
I shall not speak another word. But I must run down 
to see ’Squire Benson ; for the result of this matter 
rests with him.” 

“ Then,” exclaimed Maud, “ I am satisfied. I know 
he will come back. My head whirls. Let me sit 
down.” 

Maud lost all consciousness for a few minutes, and 


224 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


when she came to herself, she was supported in the 
arms of ’Squire Benson. 

What is the matter?” exclaimed ’Squire Benson, 
as he saw the color returning to her face. ‘‘ Are you 
ill, Mrs. Woodbury?” 

Shall I speak ?” asked Maud, turning to Jack. 

No,” replied Jack; ‘‘but we will help you to the 
house, after which I will talk with ’Squire Benson.” 

As Maud entered the house. Jack turned to ’Squire 
Benson, and inquired if he were busy. 

“No,” replied ’Squire Benson, “and I came here, 
this morning, to speak with you concerning Brother 
Woodbury, whom I have never fully given up for 
dead.” 

“ And that is the very subject that I wish to talk 
about. So I will just harness Prince, and we will ride 
to the forest as we talk.” 

“ But why ride to the forest ?” 

“ Why, to see Mr. Woodbury, to be sure.” 

As the couple passed over the road, they often be- 
came so much engaged in conversation, that Prince im- 
proved the opportunity of proceeding at a very slow 
pace, and it was, therefore, a long time before the horse 
was hitched by the roadside, about a half mile from 
the hut. In about fifteen minutes after, the couple ap- 
peared at the cabin. 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


225 


We will not attempt to describe the meeting between 
Mr. Woodbury and ’Squire Benson ; suffice it to say 
that Jack was obliged to wipe his eyes before the first 
salutations were over. 

Jack thought ’Squire Benson was wasting too much 
time ; but after a quarter of an hour’s preliminary con- 
versation, the latter introduced the subject of Mr. 
Woodbury’s married relations so easily, that Jack ever 
after affirmed that he possessed more real tact than any 
other living individual. 

After conversing for nearly an hour, Mr. Woodbury 
exclaimed, “Well, Brother Benson, I shall do exactly 
as you say ; for I feel that I can trust to your superior 
judgment. There is only one point that troubles me, 
and that is the influence of Mrs. Linton. She has al- 
ways ruled my wife, and, I fear, may again.” 

“ I have been waiting for that objection,” replied 
’Squire Benson. “ I will be responsible for her future 
influence.” 

“ Enough I” exclaimed Mr. Woodbury. “ I am en- 
tirely satisfied, and anxious to start at once.” 

“Wait still another moment,” said ’Squire Benson, 
“ and I will endeavor to make you more than satisfied, 
if such a thing were possible, and convince you that 
the responsibility I assume, regarding Mrs. Linton’s 
influence over your wife, amounts to nothing.” 


226 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


Here ’Squire Benson proceeded to narrate the scene 
between Maud and Mrs. Linton, as recorded in chapter 
twenty-fourth. 

‘‘I perceive,” said Mr. Woodbury, “ that you have 
purposely kept the best part of your story as a reserve. 
At last Maud is truly the noble woman I first loved. 
Her heart has been right all the while. It was only a 
passing cloud that obscured the sky of her natural 
goodness. I fear that I, also, have been very much 
in fault ; not merely foolish but self-righteous.” 

There was an awkward silence of a few moments ; 
for ’Squire Benson offered not a word to refute the 
speaker’s statements. 



CHAPTER XXIX. 


SECOND RETURN OF THE PRODIGAL HUSBAND.^ 

S the trio rode towards Ardenville, J ack talked 



incessantly of everything, while ’Squire Benson 


and Mr. Woodbury laughed heartily at his jokes. ‘ Al- 
together, it was one of the most pleasant rides ever 


taken. 


As they entered the village, the first person they met 
was the chore boy, who, giving one look at Jack and 
Mr. Woodbury, concluded that he was about to be 
pounced upon by two ghosts at.once, and turning about, 
he leaped a four rail fence, and, the next moment, 
was seen disappearing over a neighboring hill. Soon 
after, Mr. and Mrs Bright, both bareheaded, rushed 
from their residence. Ella was at school ; but the joy- 
ful meeting with the parents, we will not attempt to 
describe; but, when a few minutes after, the trio 
moved on, both Mr. and Mrs. Bright were wiping the 
tears from their eyes, though at the same time, they 
were also laughing at a closing remark from Jack. 
Hardly had they rode a dozen rods, when they discov- 


227 


228 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


ered Mr. Lazelle, standing by the roadside, fairly petri- 
fied with astonishment ; but, as the vehicle drew near, 
the truth flashed upon his mind, and he exclaimed, 
‘‘ He was dead and is alive again, and was lost, and is 
found.” This is said to be the only real' Scriptural 
quotation he had been known to make in a number of 
years, and, as Jack remarked to his fellow passengers, 
“ was the most truly remarkable event that had hap- 
pened during that strange and eventful day.” 

As they arrived opposite the residence of ’Squire 
Benson, Mrs. Benson, accompanied by Arden and his 
wife, ran out to meet them. The scene that ensued 
was both joyful and affecting. In the midst of their 
tears, called forth by some tender remark, Jack, even 
while wiping his eyes, would purposely make some 
speech that would set the whole company laughing, 
and, as he remarked, “ it resembled a warm shower in 
the sunshine.” 

As they neared Mr. Woodbury’s home, the wife, 
who had watched at the window for the past two hours, 
discovered the form of her husband, and, as he alight- 
ed from the carriage, she flew from the house, and the 
next moment they were enfolded in each other’s arms. 

But it seems proper that we draw a veil over the 
happy, blissful meeting of the reunited husband and 
wife. 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


229 


However, Jack had laid up altogether too much 
treasure in the couple, and done too much to bring 
about the reconciliation, not to gaze in rapture, and 
foro:et for the moment all things else. ‘‘Blessed are 
the peace-makers.’’ Our hero was eminently blest as 
he realized the result of his labors, 

“Drive on, Jack,” said ’Squire Benson, in a low 
voice, as he wiped his overflowing eyes. 

Jack could hardly see the horse through his fast fall- 
ing tears, and he made no reply, but gave the reins a 
pull, and they rode on in silence a few rods. 

“Blessed be God!” murmured ’Squire Benson. 

“ If it wont be at all wicked. I’ll say, ‘ Glory I Jeru- 
salem I hallelujah glory I’ ” said Jack. 

“ I will be responsible for all such wickedness,” re- 
plied ’Squire Benson. 

“ They didn’t seem to know that anyone was within 
a thousand miles of them,” said Jack. “Like Adam 
and Eve, they knew nothing of the world save love and 
Eden.” 

As Mr. and Mrs. Woodbury passed into the house, 
the chamber-maid was coming to learn the cause of the 
front door being open ; but, seeing what she supposed 
to be the pastor’s ghost, she turned and fled to the 
kitclien. 


230 


FOKTUNES AND mSFORTDNES 


Now, it so happened that the cook was removing a 
large baking from the oven, and, for want of room 
upon the table, she was placing sundry cooked dishes 
upon the chairs ; but, hearing a rushing sound behind 
her, she looked round just in time to see the maid seat 
herself in a large custard pie. The mistress of the 
culinary department opened her mouth, to pour forth 
a volley of invectives, when, to her horror, she beheld 
Mr. Woodbury standing in the doorway, and, speech- 
less with terror, she quietly sank down into an im- 
mense rice pudding, in which comfortable situation we 
will leave her, and pass to the next chapter. 



CHAPTER XXX, 

JACK TELLS ELLA A STORY, 

T he next day, Jack harnessed Prince and rode to 
the residence of Mr. Bright, to learn whether Ella 
was at home or not, when, to his joy, as he alighted 
from the carriage, his little pet came running to meet 
him. Jack caught her in his arms and tossed her up 
several times, kissing her at every toss, while she 
laughed and cried for joy. 

‘‘Why, Jack, you ain’t dead, be you?” 

“ I rather think not, my little sugar-plum.” 

“ I aint made of sugar. Jack, I’m made of the dust 
of the earth.” 

“ Dust !” exclaimed Jack, “ yes, gold dust, sprinkled 
with diamonds. No, that isn’t quite it either; for 
when I look at your little white dress and rosy cheeks, 
I think you must be made of apples of gold in pictures 
of silver. But come, Ella, put on your little straw 
hat, and we’ll take a ride.” 

“ I am afraid,” said Mrs. Bright, smiling, “ that 

231 


232 


FOETUinSS AND MISFORTUNES, 


something will happen, as it always does when you 
ride out.” 

“ Yes,” replied Jack, something good will happen, 
I suppose. It always does, I am told, when we com- 
pany with angels.” And he looked at Ella, who asked 
if he had ever seen one of those beings. 

“ Seen one !” exclaimed Jack. “ I think I’ve seen 
you times enough to answer that interrogatory in the 
affirmative.” 

But,” said Mrs. Bright, as they were leaving the 
house, “ you must be careful ; for you know you are 
very unlucky with horses.” 

‘‘Unlucky !” exclaimed Jack, as though very much 
astonished, “ Unlucky ! Why, all my adventures have 
occurred for the best, or, in other words, all have re- 
sulted in good. What some people call my mishaps, 
have all proved to be the filling up of the divine plan. 
There is no such thing as luck about them. I think 
I see the hand of providence in my adventures. I feel 
that all were marked out by the Almighty.” 

“ Amen I” said Mrs. Bright. 

“ Tell me a story,” exclaimed Ella, as they rode 
along at an easy pace. 

“ Well,” said Jack; “once on a time there was a 
boy named Jack.” 


FOBTUNBS AND MISFOBTUNBS. 


233 


‘‘ Why, that’s your name.” 

“ Yes ; his name was just like mine — Jack Green.” 

“ How funny !” 

‘‘ Yes ; it was rather funny that his cognomen 
should be exactly like mine.” 

“ Cognomen !” repeated Ella, “ Is that what my 
papa means when he tells about cog-wheels ?” 

“ All the same thing,” said Jack, laughing. “ Well, 
he was acquainted with a little girl a great deal 
younger and smaller than himself.” 

“ And was her name little Ella Bright ?” 

Yes, that was what everybody called her.” 

I’m so glad,” exclaimed Ella, clapping her little 
hands with delight. 

“ Why are you so glad?” 

“ ’Cause his name was like yours. But was he good, 
just like you ?” 

“ Well, he was as good as I am, any way, and he 
was very fond of telling stories to this little girl.” 

“ Then I know he was drefful good, ’cause you be.” 

‘‘Well, as I was saying, he loved little Ella very 
much, and, although both were very young, he asked 
her if she would marry him when she grew to be a 
woman ; but what answer she made I never knew.’^ 

“ Was she just like me, Jack?” 


234 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


“ Yes, just like you.” 

And, Jack, do you think she said just what I’d 
say if you should ask me to marry you when I got 
growed up?” 

“ Yes, she said just what you would say.” 

“Well, then, I know just exactly what she said.” 

“ What was it ?” 

“ She said she would.” 

Whether, at this point, Jack considered his story 
ended or not, the reader is left to decide. 



CHAPTER XXXI. 

AFTER THE RETURN. 

T he next Sabbath was a great day in Ardenville. 

Long before the hour for the Sabbath School, the 
vestry was filled with teachers, scholars and visitors, 
awaiting the appearance of Jack and their former 
pastor. Once or twice during the services, Arden 
attempted to enforce order ; but, seeing its otter im- 
practicability, he allowed the session to drift. When, 
however, Mr. Woodbury began talking to the school, 
the dropping of a pin might easily have been heard in 
any part of the room. We will not attempt the 
faintest description of his remarks, or of the words of 
Mr. Ernest and ’Squire Benson. 

Arden was about to close the school, when Mr. 
Woodbury rose and said, “I purposely omitted the 
many allusions, which my heart prompted, regarding 
the hero of the hour ; and even now I dare not dwell 
upon a theme that would soon call to the surface a 
manifestation of the deep feelings of gratitude that 
even now well up so powerfully that I can hardly 

235 


236 


FOETUNBS AND MISrORTIINEe. 


restrain my tears, and I therefore close by saying that, 
although I do not ask the favor, I nevertheless most 
devoutly wish that my dear young friend, and most 
noble benefactor, would give us some word ere we 
close.” 

As Mr. Woodbury ceased speaking, there was a 
general and rather tumultuous call, from all the young 
men and boys, for Jack. Arden was about to repress 
the outcry, when, to the surprise of all, Jack rose to 
his feet and began : ‘‘ I rise merely as the best way 

to obtain better order, and at the same time make 
myself less uneasy than by retaining my seat. I 
thank you all for the constant manifestations of good- 
will, both past and present, not so much on m/ own 
account, as for the far greater reason of its showing 
how loving, how kind, how truly good you can all act 
towards even an erring sailor boy.” 

At the close of the services, Arden gave notice that 
the two small groves in the rear of his own and Mr. 
Woodbury’s residence would be thrown into one for 
the accommodation of every member of the church, 
society and Sabbath School, all of whom were cor- 
dially invited to be present and partake of two fatted 
calves, which would be served up the next Thursday. 

As Mr. and Mrs. Woodbury entered their house. 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


237 


the former exclaimed, as he noticed his wife’s taci- 
turnity, “ A penny for your thoughts, Maud.” 

“ I was thinking,” replied Maud, “ that, as the people 
here seem perfectly satisfied with Mr. Ernest, and as 
I know you are anxious to work, you might commence 
your labors in Mill Village. The school, which you 
opened there, is prosperous ; but it needs the preacher 
to consummate the work so well begun.” 

“ Just what I have proposed to myself,” exclaimed 
Mr. Woodbury, “and I am very happy and proud to 
hear that you have helped to prepare the way by your 
own labors in that school.” 

“You must give the whole credit for the prosperity 
of the school to ’Squire Benson, my brother, and a 
few others ; but none to me. I fear that I have been 
a good deal selfish in my labors ; for I went there, not 
simply for the sake of the cause, but for the reason of 
its being a school you loved.” 

“ Thank you, Maud ; and I have no fault to find 
with that kind of selfishness ; for we read that even 
our Saviour, ‘FOR THE JOY THAT WAS SET BEFORE 
Him, endured the cross, despising the shame.’ I 
sometimes think that even our goodness is but a 
higher order of selfishness. Therefore,” continued 


238 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


Mr. Woodbury, with a peculiar smile, ‘‘being some- 
what selfish myself, I will own that I am rather 
pleased with the motive.” 

“ Thank you, in return,” replied Maud, smiling also. 
“ By the way, on the night you left me, there was one 
remark of yours that I could never understand.” 

“ What was it ?” 

“Well, it is nothing that will trouble me; for I 
know that your mind was crazed ; and yet, I have 
thought that something on my part might have given 
rise to your words.” * 

“ And what was the remark ?” 

“ You said, in substance, that, thinking I had re- 
formed, you once resolved to seek reconciliation ; but 
you found me unchanged, or, rather, changed for the 
worse.” 

“ I have a dim recollection of it,” replied Mr. Wood- 
bury. “ It was called forth by an incident that oc- 
curred after my sickness. Noticing your kind atten- 
tion to me, I resolved to make an attempt at reconcil- 
iation ; but, on going to the parlor, I found you con 
versing with Mrs. Linton, who was telling you how to 
manage your husband in a quiet way.” 

“Yes, I recollect it well,” said Maud, smiling 
“ And so you did not hear the whole ?” 


FORTUNES AND MSFORTUNES. 


239 


“No. I returned to my own room, more miserable 
than ever before.’’ 

Why did you not wait to hear my final reply ?” 

“ I did not dare to remain.” 

“O, what a coward!” exclaimed Maud, laughing. 
“ Had you waited for my reply, we might have been 
reconciled at once. Do you recollect that she absented 
herself after that interview ?” 

“ I do, now that you mention it.” 

“ Well, after hearing what she had to say, 1 admim 
istered such a stinging rebuke that she never entered 
our house until the time ’Squire Benson called down 
her wrath upon himself.” 

“ And so I have wronged you all this while ?” 

“ No, George, you never wronged me.” 

“ But I have, Maud, greatly wronged you, and I 
not only ask your forgiveness, but I promise never 
again to doubt you. I perceive, also, that I have been 
self-righteous regarding our affairs. But, as ’Squire 
Benson would say, ‘ there is a bright side to every- 
thing ;’ and. as we have both been in fault, we shall 
both see, more clearly, the great necessity of looking 
well to the future.” 


CHAPTER XXXn. 

FESTIVITIES. 



N Thursday, from two to three hundred mem 


bers of the parish gathered in the little grove, to 


partake of the two fatted calves, killed in honor of the 
return of Mr. Woodbury and Jack, the latter of whom 
was somehow made the lion of the day. 

It is true that a boy, who prided himself upon being 
the best archer for miles around, when he saw his 
leadership in that direction vanish as he witnessed 
Jack’s skill with the bow and arrow ; we say, it is 
true the boy, in his momentary spite at being van- 
quished, alluded, somewhat sarcastically, to Jack’s 
peculiar morality, in purloining the various articles 
from the party in Great Forest ; but he was at once 
silenced by the reply, fully endorsed by the bystand- 
ers, that if any one, including the libeller, passed 
through life guilty of nothing worse, such a life 
ought not to be called a failure. 

After amusing many of the people by his skill at 
archery, Jack was almost compelled to mount the 


240 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


241 


platform occupied by a band of music, from which, 
with little Ella Bright seated beside him, he related 
a portion of his adventures to an interested crowd, 
consisting of old and young, by all of whom he was 
heartily applauded. He then seated himself beside 
Ella, who addressed him three times, when, turning 
to his sober, bewildered guardian angel, he said : 

“My little Eose Bud, I was thinking about you 
and the school which Mrs, Woodbury wishes me to 
attend and what I shall do afterwards.'’ And little 
Ella's face brightened at once. 

“And what'll ye du arterwards ? ” asked an old 
farmer. 

“ Try to fit myself for the ministry," was the reply. 

“But ye'll be a good ways from the market” 
said the farmer. “ Why, ye may be called hun- 
dreds of miles from home.” 

“My friend,” commented Mr. Woodbury, ''there 
is no one so far from the market as the man who has 
nothing to dispose of.” 

“ Ha ! ha ! ha ! But of course ye think yer friend 
Jack'll lay in a good stock of suthin' they'll want, 
du ye ? ” 

“Yes, my friend, something that all need who 
have immortal souls.” 


242 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


“Guess ye are ’bout right. But some seem to 
look at things just ez my pigs du.” 

“ How is that ? ” 

“Why, just ez if they was all sUimmuk. Ha! 
ha I ha ! And just ez if when they died that was 
the last on ’em ; and so they try to get all thoy can 
possibly swill down out of this world.” 

“And what wdll be the result?” 

“ Well, the longer they live the bigger hogs they’ll 
get to be. Ha I ha ! ha I ” 

“ While studying Latin,” added Mr. Woodbury, 
smiling, “I came across an old Roman maxim : 
^ Against stupidity the gods themselves are power- 
less.’ And, Jack, when you come across such peo- 
ple as our friend describes, and you take account of 
spiritual wealth, do not undervalue any heavenly 
riches nor underrate the need of preaching merely 
because you seem to fail to impress them. Never- 
theless, allow nothing whtitever to convert you into 
a sour milk cynic. But keep your gospel cream 
sweet, and magnify j^our office, remembering that 
God is on your side. You can, therefore, well 
afford to be generous to the comparatively small 
minority.” 

“Thank you!” was the reply, “I will try to 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


243 


make use of St. Paul’s availing ‘ faith which work- 
eth by love.’ ” 

Our hero was about to seat Ella upon his shoulder 
when it somehow struck him that, although babied 
and petted and undoubtedly willing herself, she had 
grown too tall since he ran away to Great Forest, to 
be treated precisely like a baby by him. He there- 
fore took her by the hand and they went around to 
see what there was going on. But in the midst of 
their happy sight-seeing the bell rang out merrily, 
announcing that dinner was ready. 

A half hour after the feast benches and camp 
chairs were again placed around the platform that 
the people might enjoy a short entertainment con- 
sisting of singing, recitations by boys and girls, in- 
cluding one from little Ella, besides three to five 
minute speeches by Rev. Mr. Ernest, ’Squire Ben- 
son and Rev. Mr. Woodbury, and music from the 
band. Urged by his many admiring friends our 
hero recited an original poem which he stoutly pro- 
tested that he never could have composed, nor would 
he have dared to recite but for the aid and drill of 
of Rev. Mr. Woodbury. The speaker seemed to 
outdo himself in his rendition of the poem, which 
was vociferously applauded. 


244 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


THE BRAZEN BELL. 

Out from the belfry, swell on swell, 

Comes the grand music of the brazen bell, 
Chiming and climbing, 

Climbing and chiming 
Over and over the hurrying crowds. 

Up and away to the very clouds; 

As though it would pierce the vaulted skies 
To gain an immortal prize. 

Out from the belfry, swell on swell, 

Comes the grand music of the brazen belt 

Again, like song-birds, warbling, singing, 
With its merry ringing ; 

Or as happy childhood 
Waking the wildwood, 

Light, glad, frolicsome, 

And rollicksome. 

Then suddenly uproarious, 

So grand and glorious. 

And melodious — 

Like a gigantic chorus, 

Floating o’er us. 

Out from the belfry, swell on swell. 

Comes the grand music of the brazen belL 

Hear it! like an archangel, 

Or mighty evangel, 

Calling! calling! 

Swift ascending, 

With heaven’s anthems blending, 

Then falling! falling! 

Rolling and trolling. 

Trolling and rolling, 

And tolling! tolling! 

Again resounding, 

Its clang abounding 
Near and far, 

The Law expounding, 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


245 


Its tongue rebounding 
As though all sin confounding, 

Like heaving billows of mighty war. 

“ Delay not, mortals ! begin 
The conflict with foes within P 
Out from the belfry, swell on swell, 

Comes the grand music of the brazen bell. 

Out from the spire. 

Yet higher and higher. 

With confusion dire. 

The sounds are flung, 

As the bell is swimg, 

And its noisy tongue 
Is all u nstrung. 

And tunes seem imchanted and unsung. 
Then the music will swell 
Like a sweet spell, 

The discord quell ! expel I 
From its high citadel. 

Hear its rich cadence dwell I 
Its heavenly message tell 1 
“ All is well I is well I well I” 

Out from the belfry, swell on swell, 

Comes the grand music of the brazen belt 

How pleading the call I 
Entreating all, — 

“ Oh, come ! do come I 
Wake Christendom I 
With goodness we must enter in 
The rest we all should win, 

Christ bearing away our sin.” 

Hear its loud vibrations I 
“ Wake from your degradations, 

Ye slumbering nations 1 
Oh, join in grand adorations I” 

Out from the belfry, swell on swell. 

Comes the grand music of the brazen belL 


CHAPTER XXXIII. 


IN TROUBLE. 

While a church was being built at Mill Village, 
more than half the expense of which was borne by 
Maud, the mission prospered more than ever under 
the leadership of Mr. Woodbury seconded by his 
happy, devoted wife, now purified and made saintly 
by suffering. 

Jack was not idle, but daily sat at the feet of the 
two village Gamaliels — ’Squire Benson and Rev. 
Mr. Woodbury. The sailor boy was rapidly fitting 
himself to enter the school in which he was to pre- 
pare for college and the ministry. The term, with 
which he was to begin, would commence in a few 
weeks. 

He was in the habit of calling to see Ella every 
day and his visits and their rides and w^alks were 
more prolonged from the fact of Mrs. Woodbury in- 
sisting that her youthful benefactor should relin- 
quish all the duties of choring and attend to his own 
physical comfort and the improvement of the mind. 

Money should not be lacking. 

246 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


247 


But one morning, as with fond anticipations and 
happy looks he called at the Bright Cottage, he was 
met at the door by the mother instead of Ella. The 
ex-sailor boy was not even invited to enter the 
house. The expression of the good lady’s face was 
somewhat puzzling to the caller. 

“ Why, Mrs. Bright,” he exclaimed, “ has any- 
thing happened ? ” 

“ Has anything happened ? ” repeated Mrs. Bright, 
with mocking emphasis. “ Did you imagine my Ella 
a lady of eighteen or twenty and ready to jump at 
an offer of marriage from any worthless fellow who 
might propose?” 

Mrs. Bris^ht’s caller was never charged with either 
Drazen or impertinent speech ; neither was he ever 
accused of bashfulness to any remarkable degree, 
and he retorted : 

“ For the parents of Little Ella, whom I love be- 
cause she is so pure and because she has been a 
guardian angel to me, I entertain the highest possi- 
ble regard. They must be good to be the parents 
of such a child ; for grapes do not grow on thorn 
bushes nor figs on thistles.” Mrs. Bright’s north- 
ern expression seemed to change for one pertaining 
to a more southern latitude, and the speaker con- 


248 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


tinued, ‘‘ Mrs. Bright, my faith in your goodness is 
so great that I even demand an explanation.” 

“You can have it and welcome. My little dar- 
ling, whom everybody knows to he as innocent and 
guileless as a rosebud, said something about becom- 
ing your wife when old enough. I thought little of 
it at the time ; but, happening to think of it this 
morning, I asked her if she were to ride out with her 
future husband to-day. I made the remark as a very 
pleasant little joke, when, to my surprise, she took 
my words in sober earnest, and after various ques- 
tions informed me of an engagement entered into be- 
tween you two on the day subsequent to your re- 
turn. You ought to be ashamed of yourself. Jack 
Green, you are a fool.” 

Our hero attempted to laugh heartily ; but the 
effort was not crowned with the first appearance of 
success. In fact, his face not only turned scarlet, 
but he exhibited as much guilt, as he afterwards ex- 
pressed it, “ as though caught stealing sheep, instead 
of a little lamb.” 

“ Is that your reply?” asked Mrs. Bright. “ If 
so, let me say that it is not satisfactory, but insult- 
ing. I wish you a very good day, hoping that time 
may endow you with a little common sense.” 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


249 


“Why, but, Mrs. Bright,” exclaimed our hero, 
his heart sinking as though he were being hurled 
from a lofty height, into some horrible abyss, “ you 
are not going to deny me the privilege of an expla- 
nation, and even a word with, or the sight of my 
guardian angel? A parting without a free and full 
explanation would place me in a position before the 
public little less awkward and horrible than a state 
prison convict. No one has a right to condemn 
another until heard in his own defence.” 

Now Mrs. Bright was one of the best of women ; 
but as she thought of her little darling, whom both 
father and mother considered the most precious of 
all earthly things, a child, acknowledged by those 
who knew her, to possess the purest of little hearts ; 
and as the mother thought of such a child becoming 
the laughing stock of the village, it was too much to 
be borne without a protest so emphatic as never to 
be forgotten. What reply she made to our hero she 
could never quite recall. She did know that the 
caller left with a rather pale face ; but she never 
knew how white and haggard it at once became after 
he turned away. From the pinnacle of hope to be 
plunged so suddenly to the depths of despair was 
simply crushing. 


250 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


As he walked on with bowed head he suddenly 
felt an arm sliding: across his shoulders in the most 
friendly way, and looking up, he beheld the face of 
Mr. Woodbury, who gave one glance, and tighten- 
ing his arm around him exclaimed : 

“Why, my dear boy, whatever is the matter? 
Are you ill? Come right home with me. Maud 
has just been talking about you. She talks about 
you so much that I should be getting quite jealous, 
I assure you, except that she always adds, ‘ He 
gave me back my husband. How can I ever repay 
him?’ But tell me, my dear young friend, what is 
the trouble? Arayou ill?” 

“ I wish I were upon my death-bed.” 

“No, no, no, my dear friend, not quite so bad as all 
that. Our own troubles are always colossal. But 
I am sure your friends will be able to set matters 
right. Does your trouble relate to Ella?” 

A few drops came into his eyes, bringing a mo- 
mentary relief. The couple walked on in silence 
until they nearly reached the house, when Mr. 
Woodbury began again : 

“ She is not ill ?” 

The reply was simply a shake of the head. 

“ What did she say to you? ” 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


251 


I was not even allowed to see her.” 

‘‘ Forgive me, my dear boy, if I seem too inquis- 
itive ; but I am anxious to help you, yet I cannot 
without knowing the trouble. Do you not think it 
would relieve you to tell me, or would you rather 
tell Maud — Mrs. ^V^oodbury, I mean? If it is any- 
thing relating to Ella, be assured that my wife will 
not only know just what to do, but will do it very 
gladly at almost any sacrifice.” 

“ Why, it isn’t anything, 3^et everything to me. 
It’s nothing but a foolish v^him of mine. No, no, 
no, not a mere whim, but a foolish display of my 
preference for Ella. Nothing wrong. Why, I 
wasn’t even telling her any of my silly lies.” 

“ Hold on, young man,” protested Mr. Wood- 
bury, with mock severity. ‘‘No more of that. 
Neither Maud nor I can ever allow any one to slan- 
der Jack Green. I never looked upon your stories 
as much more than fairy tales. Here we are at the 
house; so come right, in and talk with Maud, who 
will set you all right in [here the speaker laughed en- 
couragingly] several minutes less than no time. 
She is neither ugly in face, figure, nor heart. You 
are surely not afraid of her.” 

“ Not at all, though I used to be. The first time 


252 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


I ever met her, I thought her the prettiest and hand- 
somest girl I ever saw. Now she is not only the 
handsomest but the loveliest. I can hardly look at 
her without thinking of one of that great throng, 
clothed in white robes, waving victor palms; those 
who came up out of great tribulation and have had 
their robes washed white in the blood of the lamb.” 

Mr. Woodbury could not articulate a word. He 
led the way into the house, all the while trying to 
swallow a great lump which seemed to fill his throat. 
There was not the slightest approach to crying; 
nevertheless, his eyes were not only moist, but he 
wiped away several drops which were rolling down 
his face. Sit right down in this easy chair, my 
dear young friend,” said he very gently. “ Maud 
is up stairs. You will not need me; but she will 
come down as soon as I tell her you are in trouble.” 

Mr. Woodbury ascended the stairs. As Maud 
caught sight of his face she quickly rose to her feet 
and, with a startled look, came to meet him. AVe 
draw a veil over most of the scene which followed. 
The husband not only told the wife all he kneAV 
about Jack’s trouble, but added the remark made re- 
garding: herself. 

Many indulge in the fashionable pastime of de- 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


253 


iiouncing some people’s habit of praising others, 
which they term flattery. Others make boast of 
their honest plainness of speech. Nevertheless, the 
old continue to be made happier by pleasant re- 
marks regarding their youthful appearance, and the 
young are delighted and encouraged with compli- 
ments. But the old are often made wretched, the 
hearts of the middle-aged are wrung with agony and 
the sensitive youth made miserable by so-called 
plain-spoken people. 

Honest praise is often like carriage springs, smooth- 
ing and easing the passengers’ journeys, or like rub- 
ber car-buffers, which prevent the too rude shocks 
as the cars thump and push each other. The “ idle 
words,” referred to in Holy Writ, are rather vicious 
words so often spoken by many so-called plain- 
spoken people — people who, like wanton, atrocious 
black hornets, seem best pleased when stinging. 
The scriptural declaration, that love is the fulfilling 
of the law, is no mere comely form of words, but 
an all-important heavenly axiom, the heeding of 
which, in the providence of God, brings a divine 
reward. And a deserved compliment, an enconium 
justly due, stirs some of the sweetest emotions of 
the human heart. And when, after we have lov- 


254 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


ingly and unselfishly fulfilled our mission among 
men, we pass on and meet our Divine Master, what 
deeper, broader and higher joy than to hear the 
plaudit, ‘‘ Well done, good and faithful servant, en- 
ter thou into the joy of thy Lord?” 


CHAPTER XXXIY. 


MAUD TO THE RESCUE. 

Maud descended the great stairway, passed from 
the front hall and entered the parlor with the elastic 
step of a gazelle, but moved to the young man’s 
side as softly as thistle-down. There were neither 
good-mornings iidi* hand-shakings, but she laid her 
shapely hand upon the boy’s head, yet without 
gazing directly into t4io haggard face. Then she 
smoothed and brushed back his hair with her deli- 
cate fingers, without a word, until his eyes filled 
with tears, at which she broke the silence : 

“ There, my dear boy, don’t be afraid nor ashamed 
to cry, for it will do you so much good. I can’t 
tell you how thankful I am that you can cry, for 
there were days and even weeks when I could not. 
I would have given much could I have shed tears, 
but the relief was denied. I was the richest lady in 
the whole county, but there are privileges which 
money will not buy. Yet it was all for the best. 
God knows far better than you and I what we most 
need.” 


255 


256 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


Still keeping her hand caressingly upon the young 
man’s head, the lovely woman moved forward just 
far enough to allow each to glance into the other’s 
face, as she continued : 

‘‘The Lord knows better than to feed us wholly 
on sweetmeats. It is solid, wholesome food, that 
makes us healthy and strong. My parents were 
rich, but I cherish their memory all the more fondly 
because Charley and I were not allowed to satiate 
ourselves on cake and candy. We lived on plain 
food until by and by we both loved it best. When 
my great sorrow came, and all His waves and His 
billows had gone over me, I was merely a spoiled 
child, only fit to be indulged and petted. But God 
is not hate, for then He would be a doomed house, 
divided against itself. He is love, and that is what 
makes Him the Almighty. So my all-absorbing love 
for my husband made one, so weak as I, strong. It 
made me so strong that for his sake I did my duty, 
which I hated ; did it until it became a blessed priv- 
ilege instead of an irksome task. 

“ Life is like a flight of stairs — one way leading 
up, the other down. Duty is one of the lowest steps. 
And, my good friend, when you hear those born 
half way up the stairs, or others who have forgotten 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


257 


from whence they started, rail against the doctrine 
of duty as a low motive, do not mind such empty 
talk, but do your duty until you love it. I shall 
never forget the poor slave to rum, who, suddenly 
and unexpectedly to his friends, placed his feet upon 
the lower step of duty, and prayed and fought, and 
fought and prayed until, in God’s good providence, 
the appetite left him and he was no longer the slave 
of drink, but God’s freeman. I tell you my story 
because it will do you so much good if you can real- 
ize that we all suffer but not in vain. As the hus- 
bandman prunes his trees, so God prunes us, that 
we may bear more and better fruit. It is such a 
glorious thought that God is our husbandman and 
gives such sure proofs of his loving care ! I hope 
you feel more reconciled.” 

“ Yes,” replied our hero, “ only I feel ashamed 
when I contrast my ripple of sorrow with the mighty 
waves which rolled over you. I ought to breast the 
billows more manfully.” 

‘‘ But never mind. Jack, for we all shrink, at first, 
even from ripples. But I know how brave you will 
be, especially with an all-powerful friend in our Sav- 
iour. Nevertheless, you will not be satisfied with- 
out Ella Bright.” And, notwithstanding her earnest- 
ness, Maud laughed, but very softly. 


258 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


Why, she is my guardian angel. Oh, I cannot 
tell j'OU what an influence her guileless innocence, 
her almost unconscious purity, have had upon me. 
If taking fire into one’s bosom creates a burn, can 
the oil of gladness and goodness help healing?” 

Maud’s hand slipped from the speaker’s head, al- 
most unconsciously, and her arm went across his 
shoulders, as she lowered her beautiful head, saying, 
“ You must never forget that we women delight in 
match-makino:. You shall not lose vour guardian 
angel. Even did I not owe you such an untold debt 
of gratitude, the intimacy between you and little Ella 
is of such a heavenly nature, so charmingly lovely, 
that I could not help giving you all the aid in my 
power. But when I consider the debt I owe you, 
what can I say but that neither time, labor, nor money 
shall stand in the way of giving you every assist- 
ance that lies in my power?” 

‘‘ But you have repaid me a thousand times over 
for all I have done for you.” 

“ There, there,” replied Maud, with another happy 
laugh, “ you mustn’t talk silly. If you do I’m afraid 
Ella herself will cut your acquaintance, and then 
think how disappointed we should be ! But, Jack, 
did you ever think that the diflTerence between your 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


259 


age and that of Ella is just the number of years be- 
tween Mr. Woodbury’s age and mine? When I re- 
jected my wealthy suitor for George, Mrs. Linton 
said it was a foolish, girlish whim, which I should 
regret for life ; that I would be the slave of a min- 
ister, and much more of the same import. I replied 
that I would much rather be the slave of a good man 
whom I truly loved, than the slav.e of another’s gold 
and a man I did not delight to honor.” 

“And now, instead of being a slave you are free 
to love him and free to be loved by him, just as the 
man who truly loves God is God’s freeman ; no longer 
feeling the shackles of duty, is free to w^ork for his 
Father and his brother.” 

“ Precisely so ; yes, precisely so. But to return : 
Your large experience makes you seem much older 
than you are. Ella’s inexperience causey her to seem 
much younger than she really is. You have roughed 
it for yourself while she is not merely the only child 
but petted and babied like a girl of three or four 
years old. But tell me all about your engagement. 
Don’t imagine it was foolish, for I know it must have 
been too cute for anything. And don’t imagine that, 
because I have been so smiling and happy, I am not 
sufficiently sympathetic. I am simply always happy 


260 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


now, and the more so at this time because of the op- 
portunity to show you how grateful I really am.'’ 

Jack told the story of his betrothal without reserve. 
He also narrated numerous other little incidents re- 
lating to his intimacy with his guardian angel ; for, 
encouraged by Maud’s smiles, laughter, and appre- 
ciative comments, he went on for an hour. He was 
not only a good story teller, but he had been made 
aware of it by the eagerness of his shipmates to lis- 
ten to any yarn he chose to spin on shipboard. Then 
Maud, he well knew, was delighted to listen. 

Under the magic influence of his saintly and charm- 
ing benefactress, the ex- sailor boy’s reserve and gloom 
disappeared. He was fllled with hope and happi- 
ness. The covenant between himself and his guard- 
ian angel no longer seemed in any way foolish but 
sacred, rather. He gave his consent that his gen- 
erous patroness should tell Julia the whole story. 
Maud promised that she and Julia would spend the 
afternoon with Mrs. Bright and that he would prob- 
ably have the use of Prince to take a long ride with 
Ella in the morning. Then she added : 

“ But before dinner Mr. Woodbury and I will ac- 
company you to the bank. I am going to transfer 
fifteen thousand dollars’ worth of various securities 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


261 


to you. The income only is to be yours until your 
marriage with Ella, when you attain your majority 
and settle over your first parish. For, you see — ’’ 

“But, Mrs. Woodbury; why, Mrs. Woodbury, 
I must protest that — ” 

“ You should never dispute nor interrupt a lady,” 
said the smiling woman. “ I was about to remark 
that Mr. Bright is taxed for about seven thousand 
dollars. Mrs. Bright is a lady whose goodness is 
unquestioned. Her value is above rubies. But a 
fifteen thousand dollar magnet for a marriage dowry 
possesses a wonderful attractive power. I do not 
believe I need make any lengthy explanation to a 
young man of your perception.” 

“ But, Mrs. AV^oodbury, you don’t really mean to 
give me all this money? It is too much. You can 
win over Mrs. Bright without such a sacrifice.” 

“ AA^ell, I might with the help of Julia. But I 
prefer this way ; it is so much easier. And then, 
my benefactor, what is the good of having so much 
more wealth than we shall ever need for our own 
personal wants, if Mr. AA^oodbury and I cannot do as 
we like with it?” 

“ What can I ever do to repay you ? ” 

“ I am already overpaid. But as you will wish 


262 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


to show your gratitude to God for His providential 
care over you, manifest it by your kindness, gentle- 
ness and goodness to all, especially to Ella. But 
remember, without fail, that there is no way that 
you can help people, especially the poor, so well as 
to help them to help themselves. I have no fears 
of what I give you proving a curse ; but through it 
and by it you will be able to confer untold blessings 
upon the world. I wish the world contained mil- 
lions of Jack Greens.” 

“ Thank you,” he replied. ‘‘ I will try to make 
the world better through a good life, and all the 
more because of your kindness and generosity.” 

“I have not one doubt of you,” said Maud. 
“ But I wish to add something that I feel sure will 
aid you in fulfilling your mission.” 

“ I will not forget your advice.” 

“Well, then, in your intercourse with others, 
many people will tell you all about a thousand 
things which they say nobody knows anything about. 
And they will talk glibly, or ponderously, regard- 
ing matters they never investigated or endeavored 
to. These vain people do not attempt to instruct 
experts in astronomy, mathematics or geology, un- 
less they have spent years in patient study and in- 


rORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. • 


26 .S 


vestigation. They would never dare do such a 
thing. Nevertheless, these egotists, with self-es- 
teem abnormally developed, will actually contend 
with an eminent Christian expert about Christian 
theology, and even discuss the Bible, which they 
have not only never studied but have not even read 
once through. I do not wish to be unkind, but, 
Jack, if any other class should pursue such a course 
regarding any other matter save the Christian re- 
ligion, people would set them down as having brass 
enough to rebuild the gates of Babylon. However, 
the brazen gates of Babylon have vanished, but the 
Bible stands firmer than ever before, and Christians 
are increasing more rapidly than at any former 
period.’’ 

‘‘ But, Mrs. Woodbury,” said her listener, “were 
these poor egotists to be restricted to a discussion 
of things they have studied and investigated, they 
might almost as well be deaf and dumb. On the 
other hand, relying on their vivid imaginations for 
their facts, and upon their retentive memories for 
their original ideas, they can give loose reign to their 
statements and distance every other competitor. I 
recollect reading what we sailors call an infidel yarn 
about the deluge which rather beats my stories. Tke 


264 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


infidel, being either ignorant or else ignoring the Bibl& 
declaration that the ‘ fountains of the great deep were 
broken up,’ said that during the rain of forty days 
the water must have descended at the rate of eight 
hundred feet each day, and then asked, ‘ How is that 
for high? ’ I should say he got high enough. Many 
people become hilarious on strong drink, but this 
infidel got eight hundred feet, or rather, over thirty 
thousand feet high on nothing but rain water. Mrs. 
Woodbury, I am inclined to think that if there are 
any subjects upon which infidels delight to ventilate 
their ‘ more perfect knowledge,’ they are the ven- 
tilation of the ark, the precise spot where it stranded, 
and just the amount of water which fell during the 
deluge.” 

‘‘Very pat,” remarked Maud, with one of her 
characteristic happy, little laughs, which, although 
always quite low, impressed every listener with the 
patent fact that they proceeded from one whose heart 
was fairly bubbling over with bliss. “ Your water 
story I have heard told in sober earnest fey a cele- 
brated infidel lecturer. It reminds me of the man 
who never had a religious experience, and, there- 
fore, as we would say, could ta!k learnedly and 
fiowingly upon the subject. I told him that but for 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


265 


my labors in the church and school, and the faith it 
brought, I should surely have become insane. He 
replied, with an air of triumph befitting a conqueror, 
that religion sometimes made people crazy. I 
merely asked him if, because people were drowned 
by water, he would abolish navigation and irriga- 
tion? and did he cease drinking or washing with 
water when he became aware of so many being 
drowned by the same liquid ? ’’ 

“ I shall remember what you have said to me to- 
day ; for it will be such a great help to me, and, 
therefore, to my hearers,” said our hero. “And 
you have reminded me of something that Mrs. Arden 
said to me.” 

“Our precious Julia! Then it must be worth 
telling.” 

“ You know what a beautiful complexion she has. 
Well, my face and hands were very rough when I 
returned from sea, and I asked her what she ever 
did to make her look so fresh and fair. She said 
that she had always kept her face and hands clean 
with pure soap and soft warm water. Then she 
added, “Jack, you may occasionally get soap in 
your eyes and sometimes get half strangled in the 
bath tub ; but there is no good substitute for soap 


266 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


and water. And, Jack, you may stumble, and the 
inexperienced condemn faith in clean living; but if 
you wish to have a clean soul, there is no substitute 
for the Saviour of men from sin.’ Wasn’t that fine ?” 

<< Why, anything and everything that Julia says 
is fine. She is never very demonstrative ; but there 
is something so strong about her that the mere 
fact of knowing that she was my unfailing cham- 
pion was a constant source of strength in my weak- 
ness and my sorrow, just as the weakest heart 
is made strong whenever its possessor realizes that 
God is a Father and Christ a friend, all the mere 
self-important worldlings to the contrary notwith- 
standing.” 

“ I was told that you opposed your brother’s 
marriage ; but it was not so, was it? ” 

“Yes; temporarily influenced by Mrs. Linton; 
but, won over, I did all I could to bring it about. 
The difficulty was to obtain her consent to marry 
Charles. I had her wedding dress all made before 
she knew it.” 

“How did you manage that?” 

“ Well, you know that when our backs are turned 
toward you, we look nearly alike. The dress was 
made apparently for me, but it was hei: wedding 


Fortunes and misfortunes. 


267 


dress. ‘ We love him because he first loved us,’ is 
true in our intercourse with each other. AVhat 
could Julia do but love me? And could ’Squire 
Benson and his good wife do otherwise? I sowed 
bread on the waters ; and what a rich harvest re- 
turned when I most needed it I ” 


CHAPTER XXXV. 


UNSUCCESSFUL. 

‘‘ That was a beautiful story,” said Jack. ‘‘And 
I shall not forget the many good things you have 
said to me to-day, neither shall I ever forget your 
kindness. I shall feel a little lonely this afternoon, 
not because I cannot see Ella, but for the reason 
that I am forbidden to meet her. But as my physi- 
cal muscles have been so Avonderfully developed by 
exercise, in like manner, as Mi\ Woodbury says, 
my moral and spiritual muscles must be exercised if 
I would become possessed of the strength of Chris- 
tian manhood. I shall feel badly, but I will not 
complain even if your missionary labors fail in con- 
verting Mrs. Bright this afternoon.” 

“ That was a brave speech. And I am the more 
pleased because it may be much better not to allude 
to your trouble lest the mother imagine, all too 
vividly, that we came for no other purpose than to 
aid you. That is, imagine we care little for her; 
whereas Julia and I think highly of the whole 
family.” 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


269 


The listener’s countenance fell ; but he soon ral- 
lied, saying, “ Do just as you two judge best. I’m 
sure that either of you know far better than I what 
course to pursue.” 

“Another brave speech. And now, my bene- 
factor, is just the time to test the power of prayer ; 
one of ’Squire Benson’s favorite themes, you know. 
Any self-important man who feels no need of any- 
thing, is not in a normal state ; because it is nat- 
ural to feel our many needs and pray for what we 
lack. A prayerless man cannot be in a normal con- 
dition. But, my friend, it is the effectual, fervent 
prayer of the righteous man which availeth much 
you know.” 

“ Yes, that is what St. James says.” 

“ If we pray sincerely and fervently, we shall also 
work much harder and more courageously to bring 
it about, shall we not?” 

“ Yes ; I see it now very plainly. That is natu- 
ral for all humanity.” 

“ You have caught the idea. Now when you 
pray, and pray in faith, you are not asking a mere 
colossal figure-head to do anything, but you are ad- 
dressing a personal being just as you are addressing 
me.” 


270 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


“ Yes, yes, I see it plainer than ever before.” 

“ Now, when you speak to me you are not talking 
to my hands, my face, or even my head, but to me, 
my think, myself, my soul, although you cannot 
see me; nevertheless, you know that I am.^' 

“Yes, I see. And I know that although I can- 
not see your real self, you can answer my prayers.” 

“Precisely so, my good friend. Now, when 
people say that God cannot answer prayer, while 
every person of common sense, infidel or Christian, 
knows that we not only can but do answer one an- 
other’s prayers, is not such a declaration unnatural, 
illogical, and opposed to reason and common sense ? ” 
“ I see it in just that light now, Mrs. Woodbury. 
It would make man more powerful than his Creator ; 
and, we must either freely and fully acknowledge 
that there is a prayer-answering God or turn Athe- 
ists.” 

Maud was rejoiced to realize that her endeavors to 
draw Jack’s mind to other things than his grief had 
wrought wonders. As the trio wended their way to 
the bank, where fifteen thousand dollars in various 
stocks, etc., were to be transferred to their young 
friend, Mr. Woodbury remarked : 

“ I suppose Jack stands for John, and therefore 


FORTUNES AND MISFORUUNES. 


271 


the name John Green should be the one used in 
these transactions.” 

“ No, sir,” replied our hero,” Jack Green is merely 
a nickname given me on board ship. My real name 
is Jackson Greenfield.” 

“I am delighted,” exclaimed Maud, ‘‘because I 
think that name far better for a minister, although 
the name Jack Green will always remain green in 
the hearts of Mr. Woodbury and the pettish doll 
baby he married, and whom he is trying so hard to 
spoil, completely, by flattery and indulgende in her 
every little whim.” 

“ I shall not permit any more slander,” replied the 
husband. “ There is a limit to my forbearance. 
You will bear me witness, Jackson, that I can be 
exceedingly firm when the exigency arises.” 

“I never knew such a momentous crisis so ably 
and firmly met,” responded our hero, laughing. “I 
had not the slightest idea that you could be so very 
arbitrary.” 

There was a fresh burst of merriment as the happy 
trio walked on. 

Jack, or Jackson, as we are now to call him, dined 
with the pastor and his wife. After the meal Maud 
left the two together and went across the yard to 


272 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


call on Julia, to whom she imparted a good knowl- 
edge of the trouble of the ex-sailor boy. Though 
not usually very demonstrative, Julia entered into 
the scheme with considerable enthusiasm. There 
were so many quiet laughs as well as smiles, that 
Arden demanded to know what the conspiracy was 
about. And so Charley, as Maud often called him, 
was duly let into the secret, at which he laughed 
over and over again, although he fully endorsed the 
plan of the two ladies. 

Mr. Woodbury proposed to Jackson that they 
walk out, knowing that something must be done to 
keep up the boy’s usual spirits. When they returned 
Maud and Julia were still on their visit, and our 
hero improved the opportunity to ask his compan- 
ion if, in his opinion, he had not gone too far in call- 
ing his wife a saint before her face. 

The pastor dropped his head a moment, but when 
he looked up he replied : “ But, my dear boy, you 
told the truth and as long as it pleases mTe I don't 
know why it should trouble you. 

* Self praise 

Goes but little ways.* 

But praise one deserves 
Strengthens the moral nerves. 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


273 


‘‘That last couplet is original, therefore, you will 
mark, my young friend, that I am learning from you 
how to rhyme. It is always safe to follow our Mas- 
ter’s example. His plaudit ‘ Well done,’ etc., if 
fully deserved, is always in order, if I may be al- 
lowed to use that phrase reverentially. My wife is 
continually belittling her own worth. She never 
dared acknowledge, even, that she was a Christian, 
until ’Squire Benson insisted that she was, and de- 
ferring to his judgment, she began to believe she 
was. She has become very popular in Mill Village 
as well as here, and her ability, combined with am- 
ple time, and the ease with which she does almost 
everything, make her an instrument for untold good. 
It is not my praise which moves her except to make 
her happier, for she imagines that my affliction mag- 
nifies her virtues, while blind to her short-comings. 
What you have said cannot fail to accomplish good. 
I am thankful you said what you did. Some good 
angel must have inspired you.” 

“ Thank you. I am relieved that I have done 
nothing wrong, and am glad to feel that I have done 
a little good.” 

“ Now, my good friend,” said Maud, entering and 
removing her hat and gloves, “ I feel sure that you 
are going to be very brave.” 


274 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


“ I will try to be courageous.’^ 

“Well, then, we had a very pleasant visit; but 
neither of us perceived any opportunity to mention 
your name to Mrs. Bright.” 

Jackson’s heart sank so rapidly that he showed 
his disappointment in his hice. But he mannged to 
ask, “ Did you see my guardian angel?” 

“ Julia and I had given up all hopes of seeing her 
until we took our leave. AVe were standing upon 
the door-step when Ella ran in at the gate. 1 
caught her in my arms and sat down on the bench 
at the side of the door. She eagerly asked about 
you at once, and she never tires talking and hearing 
others talk of you. I told her you were at my 
house, but were getting ready for school. She has 
not been warned against you. Mrs. Bright is too 
sensible and too good a Christian lady to be guilty 
of such a thing.” 

“Nevertheless, I am substantially forbidden to 
call at the cottage.” 

“ But why need our brave young knight mind as 
lonof as his guardian angel is still his guardian an- 

o o o o 

gel? Fight the good fight of faith in the right. 
How easily you. can live this thing down.” 

Jackson smiled as he added, “ It does not require 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


275 


so much courage, Mrs. Woodbury, after what you 
have said. You are very kind, and I cannot find 
words to express my gratitude ; but you know that 
I am very grateful whether I thank you or not.’’ 

“ I am so much in your debt that I am not doing 
this for your gratitude, but to liquidate a portion of 
my debt ; yet I shall never be able to pay the inter- 
est, say nothing about the principal.” Here Maud 
sank into an easy chair, saying, “ How much sym- 
pathy I have wasted on debtors ! Yet here I am 
overwhelmed with a debt I can never pay, and over- 
whelmed with joy that my obligation is so great. 
What a blessing it is to be in debt ! Why, just 
think what a happy world this would be if all the 
children knew the gratitude they owe parents and 
all people could realize how much they owe their 
Heavenly Father.” 

Why, Maud,” exclaimed the husband, ‘‘ where 
did you get that beautiful idea ? ” 

‘‘From the fact that you and I are so happy in 
thinking and telling each other how much we owe 
our mutual friend. But, Jackson, have you tested 
the power of prayer? ” 

“ I am ashamed to say that I have not. Perhaps 
that is why no o[)portuiiity occurred to speak of me 
to Mrs. Bright.” 


276 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


‘‘And I forgot, also; probably because I was so 
sure that I needed no aid to accomplish the mission. 
The next time we will watch and pray. And that 
reminds me that some exceedingly wise people (I 
must be a trifle sarcastic, as nothin^: else seems to 
meet the case) some overwise folk will tell you that 
God cannot answer prayer because if he did he 
would violate his own law. Now, I would like our 
D. D. in embryo to answer it.’’ 

Jackson looked up in surprise; nevertheless, he 
replied, “ What law do we violate when we answer 
each other’s prayers? If we are free to answer 
prayer, is God handicapped? Is not God as free 
as we are? If he is bound hand and foot, to use an 
expressive phrase, will not some one be good enough 
to tell us who was strong enough to do it? Much 
learning must have made these veiy knowing ones 
so mad with lunacy that they have sadly mixed 
things. It se.ems to be a case of mistaken identity. 
It was Satan, not the Almighty, who was bound.” 

“ Excellent ! ” exclaimed his auditors. 

“ Can God change his laws?” asked Mr. Wood- 
burv. 

t/ 

“Man does,” replied Jackson. “Furthermore, 
God made three different covenants— one with Abra- 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


277 


ham, another with Moses, and another through our 
Divine Master. It would be folly were men to re- 
fuse to change laws with changed conditions. The 
death penalty for idolatry would to-day be barbarous, 
but none too severe when the life of the Jewish na- 
tion depended upon the destruction of idol worship. 
Law is merely the mode by which God governs the 
universe. Wise, strong men, change their laws. 
What an imbecile God or man would be if unable 
to change law! You see, Mr. Woodbury, that I 
remember your instruction.” 

“ You were an apt scholar.” 

‘‘ Thank you. Then we violate the laws of God 
and man. Again, we neutralize law as we do acid, 
by the use of soda. Yet again, we overcome one 
natural law by another. We find a law in our mem- 
bers which we will to war against the law of gravi- 
tation, bringing it into subjection to the law of the 
flesh whenever we lift hand, foot or anything else. 
That was one of your lessons.” 

‘‘ And, my friend, if these John Knowitalls only 
knew how it appeared when they tell us they know 
more and can do more than the Almighty, I doubt 
if they would boast so much.” 

‘‘ I wonder on what meat do these Caesars feed 
that they have grown so great,” was the comment. 


CHAPTER XXXYI. 


Jackson’s adventure. 

Jackson prayed earnestly for several days, and 
thought of numerous stories he had read, where the 
hero had rescued a lady from some villain, a burning 
building, or from being run over; and he fondly 
hoped that through some one of these conventional 
means, set forth in the regulation novel, he might 
rescue Ella. But the hackneyed opportunity, so 
habitually portrayed by the standing order of novel- 
ists, failed to present itself. lie had found both 
Mr. and Mrs. Woodbury so sympathetic and help- 
ful that he confided his feeling of disappointment to 
them. 

Mr. Woodbury smiled, while Maud not only 
smiled, but indulged in one of her low, happy 
laughs, telling him to keep right on praying, watch- 
ing and waiting, and all would come out right in 
God’s own time. 

‘‘ It may be, my brave young knight,” said Maud, 
“ that God wishes Mrs. Bright to make the first ad- 
But whatever way our Father may take, 

278 


vances. 


Fortunes and misfortunes. 


279 


He is never unmindful of the petition of the hum- 
blest soul if sincere. Let me tell you an incident 
from a short story entitled ‘ Marian’s Mysterious 
Mission.’ 

“A noble-hearted young man, named Mark, who 
had great respect for Christianity, called prayers 
‘ catching at straws.’ He became acquainted with 
Marian, a lady of sterling character. At midnight 
Marian left the house in search of her wayward sis- 
ter. Mark saw her and followed to protect, but 
could not find her, while something occurred to 
make him imagine, for a few minutes, that she was 
guilty of wrong doing. The human heart, Jackson, 
is the same needy human heart in all ages and 
climes ; and, in his agony over the welfare of 
Marian, he, of course, began what he had termed 
‘ catching at straws’ ; or in other words, he prayed 
that he might rescue her if it cost his life. It was 
not a common-place prayer from one somewhat in 
earnest, but his petition came from the depths of 
his soul ; it was a prayer so effectual and fervent, 
that kneeling seemed too tame, and, in his agonizing 
earnestness, he threw himself fl:it upon the ground, 
and it availed much ; for, lying there^ so low^ he 
discovered Marian a few rods distant, hiding from a 


280 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


villain ; for her form was outlined against the sky. 
Does our young knight errant see the point ? ” 

‘‘ Not only do I see it, but I am reminded of my 
experience in Great Forest. I could walk up the 
little hills ; but when I wished to ascend the high- 
est one, I had to go on my hands and knees and at 
one place lie flat and crawl. Those unwilling to 
humble themselves never get very high in the moral 
and spiritual realm, nor receive answers to prayer, 
because they are not really in earnest.” 

The next morning Jackson took his usual stroll. 
He passed the Bright Cottage ; not through the 
street on which it stood, but near enough to catch 
sight of his guardian angel. He could easily have 
approached and spoken with her, but he scorned to 
do anything like that in an underhanded way, and 
he walked down to the railroad station, where he 
saw Mrs. Bright. Jackson realized the fact that 
Ella was at home all alone, and would be long 
enough for him to have a ten-minute interview be- 
fore the mother returned. Nevertheless, even this 
greater temptation he resisted and overcame, saying 
to himself : 

‘‘As long as my guardian angel is all right a few 
days more or less will not harm either of us. If 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


281 


her parents have requested her to avoid me, I surely 
should not cause her to violate the first command- 
ment with promise. Such things don’t bring the 
right kind of answers to prayer.” 

Jackson met a book-keeper with whom he was 
slightly acquainted, who carried a small satchel 
containing several thousand dollars (which he had 
just drawn from the bank) with which to pay the 
help at Mill Village. Somehow Jackson could not 
help thinking of the consequences to the satchel 
man, provided the money should be lost or stolen. 
Jackson spoke to the book-keeper regarding his 
thoughts, but the man smiled in a supercilious man- 
ner, saying that he had carried the money for sev- 
eral years and he would risk its loss while in Ms 
care. Jackson felt that the high, mighty loftiness 
of some men was not a source of popularity, and 
he could hardly help contrasting the man’s manners 
with those of ’Squire Benson. Arden and Maud 
owned about one-quarter of all the bank, yet either 
one would speak with a newsboy, bootblack or the 
woman who did their washing, as kindly (and with- 
out one lofty air) as if talking with the aristocratic 
owners of Mill Village. 

The train came thundering in, the passengers 


282 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


stepped out, and the book-keeper wa's in the act of 
stepping on board, when he was suddenly, but with- 
out attracting the attention of others, pushed by a 
man who stepped on his heels also. The result of 
this was that the money-carrier fell, striking his 
breast against the steps and his head upon the car 
platform. * 

‘‘ Too bad ! ” exclaimed the pusher. ‘‘ I hope you 
are not hurt. I stumbled myself.” 

The stranger assisted the book-keeper in rising, 
relieving him of the satchel at the same time. The 
train was just starting and the stranger asked a pas- 
senger on the platform to assist the injured man 
into the car while he brought in the satchel. The 
passenger attempted to do as he was requested ; but 
the stranger with the satchel stepped from the mov- 
ing train, and before any alarm was given, he had 
run several rods from the station, making his best 
time, or as our hero expressed it, ‘‘running all the 
spare time he could get.” 

Jackson fairly laughed as he made his way rapidly 
through the little crowd, tossing his hat and coat to 
the newsboy and going off like a shot in pursuit; 
for the idea of any man, except a professional run- 
ner, being his match in a foot race had not entered 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


283 


his head. He had natural speed in his limbs while 
his practice in Great Forest had developed all of 
which they seemed capable. 

Shouts of encourngement fell upon the pursuer’s 
ears ; nevertheless, he did not put his muscles to 
their greatest test although the fugitive was evi- 
dently doing his best and had a comparatively long 
distance the start. Jackson shouted back for two 
or three good runners to follow him, at which a 
dozen set off in pursuit, but in a few minutes only 
three boys were following. The men had all lost 
their breath. 

“ Don’t run too hard,” shouted our hero to the 
pursuers. Save some of your wind. We’ll run 
him down.” He also motioned to a couple of boys 
to turn off to the right and the other to the left, the 
object of which they seemed to understand and 
obeyed at once. 

Jackson hallooed to the thief to stop or it would 
go hard with him. But instead of pausing it en- 
couraged him to go on just as the pursuer intended 
it should ; but the shout kept the stranger from 
leaving the road. The thief was a good runner and 
had evidently relied upon his fleetness to escape all 
pursuit, and as Jackson kept about so far behind, 


284 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


he was evidently calculating upon distancing his 
pursuer, notwithstanding the satchel he carried. 

Jackson, however, counted far too much upon the 
draw-back of carrying the satchel ; for instead of 
holding it in his hand, the man tied it upon the 
lower part of his back with a belt provided for that 
very purpose and then forged ahead more rapidly 
than his pursuer deemed it possible. The race was 
not destined to be as short as Jackson had fondly 
anticipated. But shouting again, that the man 
might keep in the road a little longer, Jackson, who 
had been very gentle with himself and was rapidly 
getting what is termed his ‘‘second wind,” grad- 
ually increased his own speed until he gained upon 
the fugitive who, however, was not awake to the 
fact until he was nearly upon him, when he realized 
that, in spite of his own racing abilities, he would 
soon be overtaken unless he left the road. 

Yet Jackson had accomplished one purpose, and 
that was to have the fugitive become greatly fa- 
tigued ere he left the highway. After the man went 
over the fence the pursuer put on his best speed 
until he Avas several yards ahead, Avhen he also shot 
over the fence and headed the man off. But at this 
the fugitive stopped and drew a pistol, ordering him 
to get out of his way or he would shoot him. 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


285 


‘‘ That would be a hanging affair instead of im- 
prisonment,” replied Jackson the proof against you 
would be conclusive. Furthermore, you couldn’t 
hit me once in a thousand times.” And the speaker 
began swaying from side to side with a rapidity and 
ease that astonised the robber. 

“ But you will be obliged to keep your distance,” 
replied the man. 

“ Distance lends enchantment to the view, does it 
not?” remarked eTackson. 

‘‘Let me tell you once for all,” said the man, 
“ that I never miss fire, and if you do not get out 
of the way as I attempt to pass you, your post 
office address will be the grave yard.” 

“ A very grave subject,” replied Jackson, “and 
I must be allowed time to consider it well. How 
would swords at twenty paces do ? ” Jackson was 
doing his best to dally until help arrived. 

“ This is no time for fooling. Do you know that 
you are foolhardy to stand before a desperate man 
in this way ? ” 

“The best thing you can do is to unstrap that 
satchel, drop it, and then make the very longest and 
quickest strides of which you are capable, or I shall 
take you prisoner.” 


286 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


‘‘ Approach me if you dare. Come, boy, my pa- 
tience will not hold out much longer.” 

“Don’t hold out anything whatever except that 
satchel. Drop it or you. will soon ])e given the free- 
dom of the city — but not outside of the prison.” 

“ Young man I’m coming your way. I give you 
long enough to count twenty-five to get out of my 
path. That’s my ultimatum.” 

“ Ultimatum ! Is it loaded?” 

“ Time’s up, and I’ll let you know,” said the rob- 
ber, stepping forward slowly, while Jackson thought 
it prudent to retreat. “I don’t wish to hurt you, 
but I will not be taken alive.” 

“Give me the silver,” exclaimed Jackson. 
“Come, it’s too heavy to carry. Give me the 
silver to keep, and the bills will be easier to 
carry. You ought to give me half, but give me 
the silver, any way.” 

“It’s a bargain.” The man quickly unstrapped 
the satchel, ripped it open with his knife, and threw 
the two bags of silver towards Jackson, who caught 
them, one in each hand, when, so quickly that the 
man was not even aware of his intention, our hero 
hurled the small bag at two bundles of bills in the 
man’s hands. While in Great Forest the thrower 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


287 


had learned to cast missiles with wonderful precis- 
ion. The bag of silver struck both bills and the 
hands which held them, and one bundle was sent 
flying several feet away and the next instant the sec- 
ond bundle of bills was knocked quite a distance by 
the remaining bag of money. 

At this opportune moment the two boys, whom 
our hero had directed to turn aside, appeared. 

“ Now we have you,” exclaimed Jackson; “for 
yonder are two young men coming.” 

The robber did not wait even to attempt the re- 
gaining of a package of money. He reasoned, 
wisely, that with the money his capture would be 
almost certain, while if he took nothing he would 
not be pursued with much zqal when there was no 
flnancial gain in prospect. Therefore, abandoning 
bills as well as silver, he set ofl* at a pace which 
tested the power of every muscle used in locomo- 
tion. 

But he did not make due calculation for the un- 
even surface of the ground over Avhich he ran. He 
was just passing our hero when one foot sank into a 
hole. He merely stumbled, however, and would 
have recovered, but the other foot caught in a creep- 
ing vine or briar and he went down upon his hands 


288 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


and knees. The next instant Jackson was upon him 
with both feet and knees, forcing the robber fiat 
upon the ground, and in another moment the pistol 
was not only in the captor's possession, but the pris- 
oner’s hands were secured behind him. 

The two boys rendered efficient service ; in fact, 
not dreaming of danger while the man was below . 
and the boy above, they each made fast to one of 
the man’s ankles, not the foot, as Jackson had 
Tvarned them to keep at the side to avoid kicks. 
The legs were held aloft, and although the boys 
were hustled around by the man’s working and 
twisting legs, they hung to the ankles with vigor, 
persistence and enthusiasm, especially as they were 
promised ten dollars each if they would not let go. 


CHAPTER XXXVII. 

Jackson’s story. 

Returning in triumph with their prisoner and 
the stolen money, the captors met two policemen 
about half way between Ardenville and the place of 
capture. The prisoner was turned over to the po- 
lice while Jack carried the satchel. The book- 
keeper had been, it was thought, badly injured; 
but the application of cold water soon brought him 
to his senses, when it was found that he had been 
merely stunned by the fall. But his anguish over 
the loss of the funds was terrible ; for he saw noth- 
ing but ruin before him unless the money was re- 
covered. 

The returning company, in charge of the cash and 
captive, were met near the railroad station by the 
book-keeper just as Mr. Woodbury and Arden, who 
had heard of the robbery, came also to learn partic- 
ulars and the result. 

‘‘Is the money safe?” asked the book-keeper, 
almost wild with alarm for the safety of the funds 
entrusted to his care. 


289 


290 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


“ All safe and sound,” replied eTackson. ‘‘ Noth- 
ing especially disturbed except the satchel cut open. 
If you will just remember, henceforth, that there 
must of necessity always be a first time in the loss 
of money or any other accident to any one, I shall 
be amply repaid for what little I have done.” 

“ Oh, but you shall be rewarded,” said the book- 
keeper. 

“Not anything for me,” replied our hero. “I 
have, however, promised thuse boys a reward of ten 
dollars each. One arrived after the capture, but 
then he would have been in at the right time had 
the robber scaled the fence the other way. About 
thirty dollars for these boys and as much more as 
the mill owners see fit to give.” 

“ Here’s your coat and hat,” and the newsboy 
handed the articles to Jackson, who put them on, 
saying, “ Yes, thank you, and here is something for 
you.” 

“But you must take something for y^ourself,” 
remarked the relieved and rejoicing money-carrier. 
“ But for you I had lost it, and been ruined.” 

“ My dear young friend and benefactor will re- 
ceive an ample reward in some other way besides 
moneys,” remarked Mr. Woodbury. “He is in 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


291 


no financial strait, having all he will need for 
life if he does not expend more than ten or twelve 
hundred a year.” 

Oh, I thought he was poor.” 

“ His name is not yet on the tax booi^, but he 
has just been assessed for fifteen thousand. But 
come, friend Jackson, I think it would interest us 
all and do us considerable good to learn from you 
how the capture was made.” 

A large crowd of, not merely men and boys, but 
quite a sprinkling of women and girls, had gathered ; 
and when Jack mounted a box there was cheering 
-(•and clapping of hands. Our hero was about to 
commence when he was arrested by the voice of 
Ella Bright, saluting his ears ; — 

“ Oh, Jack, you must please let me get up ; be- 
cause I’m your guardian angel, you know.” He 
assisted her up in silence, in his emotion not even 
noticing the fact that, in emulation of his example, 
her speech was rapidly improving. “ Why, Jack, 
what are you crying for? ” 

“ Oh, I’m not crying,” replied our hero, suppress- 
ing his tears by a great effort. “ I am going to tell 
these folks how wo captured a robber.” As he well 
knew that the pastor’s statement had been heard by 


292 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


several ladies, seated in the station, and including 
Mrs. Bright, but more especially as he thought how 
signally his prayers had been answered, he came 
very near bursting into tears of grateful emotion. 
But exchanging kisses with Ella, he seated her upon 
the edge of the box and commenced his narrative. 
At the close of his story there were hearty cheers, 
and clapping of hands. 

Jackson thanked the crowd, and amid the contin- 
ued applause he descended from the rostrum and 
departed with his little favorite, still followed by a 
crowd of admiring boys and several men who had 
heard of the exploit and wished to exchange a word 
of greeting with him. 

All the while Jackson was well aware of the fact 
that Mrs. Bright, who with Ella had accompanied a 
friend to the station to take the train, was but a few 
steps distant and gradually drawing nearer and 
would soon join himself and her child, and he won- 
dered with what result. 

Now the fact was that positive Mrs. Bright had 
regretted being quite so hasty in turning our hero 
over her thumb, as it were, and she wished that 
Jackson would make overtures ; but to her surprise 
he did not come near her cottage, which she judged 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


293 


he could hardly resist doing provided he could not 
meet Ella elsewhere. She kept her daughter at 
home, thinking such a course would not fail to bring 
about a second visit from her caller ; but he did not 
put in an appearance. The mother was greatly dis- 
appointed ; for while the little olyectionable epi- 
sode had seemed foolish it surely was not wicked ; 
on the contrary he had proved himself to be worthy 
of honor. Moreover, he was the protege of Rev. 
Mr. Woodbury and his wealthy wife besides being 
an especial favorite with Arden, Julia and the Ben- 
sons. He could hardly fail to become, were he not 
already, one of the greatest ‘‘ catches” in all Arden- 
ville. If he was lost to her family it should not, in 
future, be her fault. The robber incident, and the 
fact of Ella taking the course she did seemed almost 
an interposition of Providence. It is, perhaps, un- 
necessary to state that five minutes after Mrs. Bright 
joined Jackson, the union of the trio was even 

t 

closer than at any former period. 

A half hour later Jackson and his guardian angel 
passed up the walk leading to the prominent resi- 
dence of Mr. and Mrs. Woodbury. Maud met the 
couple half way down the walk, kissed Ella, pressed 
our hero’s hand, and the trio were entering the 


294 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


dwelling, w^hen Julia, her face wreathed in smiles, 
tripped up the steps. A few minutes later came 
Mr. Woodbury and Arden, who had lingered be- 
hind that Mrs. Bright and Jackson might not be 
hindered in the things which make for peace. And 
there was great rejoicing. 

Are you satisfied with the answer to prayer?” 
asked Mr. AV^oodbury. 

More than satisfied,” replied Jackson. 

“And, my dear young friend,” said Mr. Wood- 
bury, “ I trust j^ou will never be tempted to imi- 
tate that brilliant production said to have been ‘ the 
most eloquent prayer ever offered to a Boston audi- 
ence.’ That kind is not apt to be very favorably 
considered. But, Ella, is not this an excellent op- 
portunity for one of Jackson’s stories? And we 
should all like to hear one.” 

Ella was delighted. Jackson demurred, but 
finally, at the earnest solicitation of the little au- 
dience, related one which he had very recently 
composed and revised several times. 

Stout, Smart, Strut and Small. 

Once upon a time there was a ship, with a num- 
ber of passengers, which became short of fuel and 
water, and it was anchored near an uninhabited 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


295 


island; boats were lowered, and a number of sail- 
ors landed, who soon obtained the necessary sup- 
plies. A score of passengers also went ashore, 
and among them Stout, Smart, Strut, and Small. 

Stout was large, tall and strong. Smart was an 
average sized man, but very quick motioned and a 
fast runner. Strut was a little, slim fellow, with 
high notions of his own importance. Small was a 
wee bit of a dwarf, about knee-high to a doll baby. 

At this point of the narrative Ella laughed, Maud 
joined in sympathy, while the others of the little 
audience smiled. 

Small had what is called a level head, and urged 
Stout, upon whose shoulders he had been carried 
into the interior of the island, not to tarry too long ; 
and by and by the little fellow strongly urged a 
speedy return as the vessel might leave them. But 
Smart said they could run back in five minutes and 
there was no hurry, while Strut tipped back his 
head and said he would risk getting left. Small 
might have persuaded Stout — who had laid up some 
treasure in the dwarf by carrying him upon his 
shoulders — to return to the ship in time; but, un- 
fortunately, there arose what they termed a religious 
discussion as to whether Pharoah, while pursuing 
the Israelites, wore patent-leather boots as Strut 
contended, cloth gaiters as Smart argued, or merely 
had on his silk hose which Stout declared was the 
most reasonable conclusion in view of the warm 
climate. 

At this period Julia laughed heartily, the other 
three adults joining, while Ella united in the jocular 
chorus. 

Small took no part in the discussion except to say 


296 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


that it reminded him of three poor little unfortunate 
oysters which he once beheld swimming around in 
an immense kettle of a church stew served up at a 
fair. There was an ocean of broth but very little to 
sustain life. 

Here the narrator was further encouraged by a 
manifestation of appreciative merriment. But with 
these samples of appreciation we pause in our com- 
ments. 

In the midst of the fierce controversy Small 
climbed up a tall shrub, from which he saw the ves- 
sel, with all sails spread, standing out to sea. He 
shouted to the disputants the discovery he had 
made ; and even then there was ample time for 
Smart to reach the shore and signal the ship ; but he 
paused for one more shot at his antagonists, which 
shot brought out a keen rejoinder, to which Smart 
could not forbear replying in a manner that would 
show up the glaring inconsistency of the King of 
Egypt starting in pursuit of the Israelites with his 
feet encased in anything save cloth gaiters, acknowl- 
edged by every sensible man to be the most com- 
fortable things in the world, and especially while 
riding in a jarring chariot. Small shouted himself 
hoarse, but the polemic wrangle went on, each de- 
bater seemingly bent on completely entombing his 
opponents beneath platitudes, postulates, premises, 
propositions, first principles and persuasions, and by 
the time Smart started to signal the departing craft 
she was just being inclosed in a mist as dense as the 
fog which enveloped the religious controversy. 

The whole quartette were ravenously hungry ; 
nevertheless, the party spent an hour or more show- 
ing up the reductio ad absurdum of the captain’s 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


297 


ordering the anchor to be weighed before weighing 
the probabilities of some of his ship’s company being 
abandoned by an abandonment of proper signals be- 
fore starting. All were agreed that the proceeding 
was highly reprehensible ; yet the trio reasoned 
fiercer than ever. Small said it reminded him of the 
proverbial heated argument between two contentious 
grangers, one of whom stoutly declared that pota- 
toes would thrive best on low, damp ground, while 
the other unflinchingly affirmed that potatoes planted 
in moist, depressed soil, would produce the better 
crop. 

But all the while their stomachs were crying for 
food, and the internecine war ceased, partly by ex- 
haustion ; at which Small became so thankful and 
encouraged that he proposed a union of all for the 
common good, or in other words, for the common 
provision and defence. The proposal, however, was 
met by derisive laughter. Mutual provision and 
defence ! when it was plainly evident that Small 
would prove nothing save a burden on the body pol- 
itic, not to mince matters, a pauper. 

The sportive, hilarious derision of his companions 
cut the dwarf to the quick ; but the burst of con- 
temptuous merriment, however, startled several 
birds who were feeding on some very nutritive ber- 
ries, growing on the thrifty, luxuriant shrubs, simi- 
lar to the one Small had ascended. Profiting by 
the blessing in disguise, the dwarf began picking and 
eating the small wholesome berries on the very shrub 
he had climbed ; but the fruit was so diminutive 
that it would have taken a half day to gather suffi- 
cient to satisfy a man so large as Stout. Small soon 
made a hearty meal and was about to descend when 


298 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


a wolf sprang upon Stout, who, nothing daunted, 
entered into the contest with fearless determination 
to throttle the animal, which, however, was too 
quick for the man’s slow movements, and he would 
have fallen a victim to the vicious animal but for 
Smart, who, nimbly avoiding a spring from the 
beast, caught him by the tail and held on while the 
giant dispatched the wolf, which Small interpreted 
as a lesson in mutual dependence. 

Quite a delay here occured, as Strut, who had 
been a looker-on in the Venice of strife, came out 
from behind a tree and elaborately explained the 
best way to despatch an assaulting beast. He es- 
pecially emphasized the importance of standing at 
the side of the animal, pointing out the almost fatal 
mistake of Stout in taking a position directly in 
front, and learnedly discussed the grave error of 
Smart in consuming so much valuable time with the 
tail which contained no vital organ on which the life 
of the wolf depended. 

But the demands of appetite finally put an end to 
the eloquent harangue, and they all set out in search 
of food. They had become well nigh discouraged 
when Small, who was seated on Stout’s head and 
keeping his position by bracing one foot against the 
giant’s ear, shouted that he had found fruit, and 
handed Stout a sample which he could just reach 
and had plucked. The giant ate with evident relish 
thanking the dwarf for the much needed supply. 
But Small simply replied that he was only trying 
to repay him for his kindness ; nevertheless, adding 
that but for Stout’s goodness in allowing him to 
mount his head to view the scenery, the precious 
fruit, almost hid by the foliage, would not have 


J’ORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


299 


been discovered. The little fellow again reminded 
his companions of their mutual dependence upon 
each other. 

Here, however, Strut entered a contemptuous 
protest, saying that every man should exercise his 
reason instead of indulging in mere superstitious 
whims ; the finding of the fruit came entirely by 
chance. Small asked if he did not chance to find it 
because it chanced that Stout was so kind as to carry 
him on his head. But, with a proud tipping-back 
of the head. Strut made answer that Blind Chance, 
upon whom the conservatives poured such bigoted 
opprobrium. Blind Chance discovered the fruit. 
•‘Well, then,” replied Small, “if Blind Chance 
can do so much, let him feel round among the thick 
leaves, pick and throw us down a supply while we 
rest ourselves.” 

At this Strut advanced to box Small’s ears, but 
Stout warned him to have a care how he meddled 
with his little friend. Then the little fellow remem- 
bered the declaration of Scripture : “ He that hath 
friends must. show himself friendly.” 

Strut refrained from physical blows, but hurled a 
pompous sentence at his diminutive opponent : “I 
would not be the slave of old conservative supersti- 
tion for the wealth of the Indies. The trouble with 
Small is too little brains;” for Strut, though slim, 
had quite a large head. 

“It is not always the quantity of brains but the 
quality,” replied Small. “Goliath may have had 
twice the brains of David, but the smaller man was 
level-headed. Byron is said to have had a far 
larger brain than John Howard or Florence Night- 
ingale, but the two last had the quality instead of 


300 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


the quantity. Moses and Joshua and Caleb had ap- 
preciative brains. They had so much faith in God 
that it made them faithful and thankful and coura- 
geous.” 

Stout smiled, at which Strut, with a sneer, re- 
marked that he did not care to pin his belief to old 
•wives’ fables, but he believed in the exercise of rea- 
son. He was especially 0[)posed to extolling a man 
who had ignored or ignorantly opposed science and 
geology in his account of creation. Small asked 
wherein. Strut answered that a great American 
lecturer had said so, and he must have good grounds 
for his statements. Small again asked wherein the 
violation or opposition to science occurred. But 
Strut merely replied that it was either the second, 
third or fourth period or day, he was not certain 
which, but he was positive. 

Strut went on with a long discourse in regard to 
what he termed The Unknowable. But Small very 
modestly made the comment that when he wished to 
learn anything especial about astronomy he con- 
sulted either the man himself or the works of some 
eminent astronomer ; and he pursued the same 
course in regard to geology, mathematics, and 
Christianity, always going to some eminent Chris- 
tian regarding Christianity and an eminent Biblical 
scholar in regard to the Bible. 

But Strut smiled loftily, saying that all sensible 
people now depended on critics to the exclusion of 
searchers and such antiquated fossilso He went on 
at great length to prove that unreasonable things 
should be discarded because they were contrary to 
reason, while truth should prevail instead of false- 
hood. These startling declarations were being fol- 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


301 


lowed up by other thrilling platitudes on platitudes, 
which like Alps on Alps arose, when Stout insisted 
that Small should be accorded a minute’s hearing. 

Small replied that he valued critics highly ; but 
critics merely as critics who did not search and in- 
vestigate the Bible, were worse than butter without 
bread, just like dogs in the manger, grumbling and 
growling at the, faithful work-horses. Critics, over- 
sensitive under criticism, are like quacks who object 
to taking their own medicine. Small named a re- 
ligious newspaper which, not having the fear of 
critics before its eyes, contained a criticism upon 
certain critics who imagined themselves infallibly 
above criticism. At once a host of critics, virtually 
acknowledging that the coat was an excellent fit for 
themselves, replied to the journal in language hardly 
fit for a partisan paper during a political election. 
This mud-slinging, however, bespattered none save 
the critical snarlers. “ Critics and physicans are 
excellent, ” concluded Small ; “ but when a doctor 
refuses to take his own prescriptions, he would do 
well to surrender his diploma.” 

Here, however, appetite obtained the mastery 
and Small mounted Stout’s head and began plucking 
the fruit and tossing it down. At one time, how- 
ever, Stout burst into a fit of uncontrollable laugh- 
ter, shaking so that the dwarf was forced to slide 
down upon the giant’s shoulder and hold fast to 
one ear to keep from falling. Then, with tears in 
in his eyes, caused by merriment. Stout said he was 
merely trying to solve the problem as to which could 
gather the most fruit. Blind Chance or Sharp-eyed 
Small. Strut, white with rage, said it was always 
a mark of cowardice for a giant to attempt to brow- 
beat and insult a man so much less in bulk. 


302 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


But all right and proper for you to cuff mj lit- 
tle friend’s ears if allowed to,” retorted Stout, con- 
siderably nettled. 

Strut, however, went into a long dissertation on 
the difference between a red horse and a horse that 
was red, ending with a sarcastic comment that the 
lack of an appreciative audience often prevented a 
speaker from presenting the points under discussion 
in the clearest light. He had, however, elucidated 
the subject sufficiently to show any one, possessing 
half average intellect, that there was a great gulf 
between the relations of himself and Small, and 
Stout and himself. 

All four castaways had been helpful to each other, 
except Strut whom the others began to look upon 
as an incumbrance, while Stout and Small seemed to 
depend upon each other so much that a wonderful 
friendship was being rapidly cemented between 
them. 

Along towards night Small urged Stout to prepare 
for sleeping. There was a steep, long ledge against 
which Stout placed a lot of heavy poles while Smart 
pulled up a large quantity of long flags and grass, 
and Small did the thatching as the poles would not 
stand much weight being partly decayed. But 
Strut looked at his fashionable clothes and utterly 
refused to assist. About dusk Smart took the dwarf 
on his head and was soon supplied with fruit for sup- 
per. Then Stout utilized the obliging Small in the 
same way. When Strut made inquiry about his own 
supper, he was smilingly informed that it awaited 
his pleasure on the tree, but that perhaps his friend, 
Blind Chance, would assist him in making ready his 
evening meal. 


FORTUNES AND MISFORUUNES, 


303 


Strut was not slow to characterize such treatment 
as discourteous ; in fact, he could characterize it by 
no milder term than ungentlemanly. The world 
owed him a living, did it not? 

“It does provided we collect the debt,” replied 
Small. “ Sometimes we collect it with shovel and 
hoe ; sometimes on an anvil, at all times by labor 
unless it is given us or we steal it. I prefer honest 
collection for mine. To-night I propose to collect 
by collecting berries unless Chance in her blind 
rambles hits the tree and jars them off for me. I 
prefer dame Fortune, however; but you have to 
woo her persistently for a kiss.” 

Strut was advised to lay aside his coat, hat and 
patent leathers ; but scorning all advice, he finally 
succeeded in getting into the tree when he at once 
began collecting what he had declared was owing to 
him. It was late when he finished, and being dark 
he missed his footing and fell to the ground, tearing 
and begriming his suit of which he was so choice, 
and leaving his hat in the tree. Small proposed to 
Stout to help get the hat which they did ; but in 
returning the giant stepped into a hole and upon a 
rabbit which he quickly caught by stooping, at 
which the dwarf fell and struck a partridge which 
he secured. On the whole the couple felt well re- 
paid for obliging Strut. 

They also allowed Strut to sleep in the mouth of 
the booth provided he would see that the fire was 
kept burning to scare away the wolves, or he might 
kill them by a side attack. And by and by the 
quartette were snoring in chorus, Stout coming in 
on double bass while Small did up the fine soprano. 

That night the captain of the ship made the fol- 


S04 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


lowing entry in the vessel’s log-book: ‘‘Almost 
immediately after leaving the uninhabited island, 
where we procured wood and water supplies, there 
arose a dense fog, enveloping the vessel so that we 
could hardly recognize each other a yard apart. 
When the fog lifted four passengers were missing, 
all of whom, probably walked overboard while the 
thick mist prevented them from seeing where a mis- 
step would lead.” 

After the story was somewhat over-praised, Mr. 
Woodbury added; “ Of course, Jackson, we shall 
all expect a story-book from you.” 

“If so, look for an American story, in American 
English, with American idioms.” 

“ That would subject you to severe criticism.” 

“ Showing the great need of such books,” replied 
Maud. “ In it stand bravely for Christianity.” 

“ I will,” responded Jackson. “And, by treating 
all opinions fairly, when alluding to those egotists 
who brazenly condemn a Bible they never read or 
studied, should others, who have read and studied 
Holy Writ, put on the coat, it will not be my fault. 
And if I mention the heedless and thoughtless, the 
careful and thoughtful will be unwise to take of- 
fense.” 

“ Amen ! ” responded Mr. Woodbury. “ Nev- 
ertheless, without just cause, people will be of- 
fended.” 


CHAPTER XXXVin. 


Jackson's adventure at school. 

Jackson had not only been lionized to a very dan- 
gerous extent before, but after the capture of the 
robber he was flattered and extolled to an extreme 
that would have turned almost any boy’s head, and 
it might, possibly, have sadly twisted his own, but 
for the companionship of Squire Benson, Arden, and 
the pastor, all of whose unassuming ways he plainly 
saw made them better and happier as well as far 
more popular. Then there was the refining influ- 
ence of Mrs. Bright, Mrs. Benson, Julia, Maud, 
and his guardian angel. 

When he contrasted the graceful, unassuming, 
sunshiny ways and words of Maud, the richest 
woman in the county, with the haughty manners of 
Mrs. Linton, a mere votary of fashion, whose con- 
descensions were far more insulting than her lofti- 
ness, he realized that it was not simply fashionable 
manners but true refinement which won the most 
friends. 


305 


306 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


Jackson pondered all these things in his heart, and 
even when the owners of Mill Villa^re offered him a 

o 

jDosition in their works, with opportunity of rising, 
it failed to make him other than the manly Christian 
he had resolved to become. He lost none of his pop- 
ularity by any putting on of airs.” He was espec- 
ially pleased that, instead of* manifesting opposition 
as they temporarily had done, Mr. and Mrs. Bright 
were highly gratified with the friendship which ex- 
isted between himself and their daughter. 

The skies were unobscured except by rainbows of 
promise which spanned the heavens. He expected 
to start for the school alone ; but the evening before 
he left, Maud told him that Arden and Julia, Mr. 
Woodbury and herself would accompany him and 
properly introduce him to the Principal and the as- 
sistant professors. This made his parting less sor- 
rowful especially his leave-taking with Ella. Nev- 
ertheless, an hour after arriving at the capacious 
school buildings, when his four friends left him and 
waved their handkerchief as the returning train was 
disappearing around the curve at a deep cut, he 
turned his gaze toward the great brick seminary and 
his eyes filled. 

But through his experience as a sailor boy, coupled 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


307 


with large faith, he soon recovered his spirits, and 
far sooner, because he did as he had promised 
his friends, plunged at once into his books. His 
studies in Great Forest, especially while under 
the pastor’s supervision, had taught him how to 
study ^ and he was now prepared for closer applica- 
tion to the branches he was to take up. Well would 
it be if every person, entering one of these institu- 
tions where due preparation is supposed to be made 
to enter college, could learn how to study and how to 
make it a jyleasure. The mastery of these valuable 
acquirements will outweigh every other intellectual 
acquisition from the seminary text books. With- 
out one or both of these desirable possessions no 
student can ever attain high rank as a scdiolar even 
though he may pass, with seeming credit, through 
the entire curriculum of the best university. 

Not a week passed before Jackson won the esteem 
of the faculty by his attention to his duties, and in 
another week he had ingratiated himself into the af- 
fections of many of the students by his kindly ways 
and words as well as his manly, modest deport- 
ment. 

Needing exercise, and firmly believing in the 
value of social relations, he mingled with the other 


308 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


students and took part in their manly exercises and 
games. It was here that trouble commenced. 
There were two scholars, who had been for several 
terms, contending for the championship of the sem- 
inarj^ The principal said he had no objection to ' 
athletic feats unless carried to dangerous extremes, 
in which life and limb were imperiled, or the rivalry 
destroyed their relish for study. These two young 
men, however, had become so infatuated, not so 
much in the development of health, as in their abil- 
ity to excel in muscular feats, that they had lost 
nearly all relish for higher pursuits ; in fact, they 
made all things subservient to the performance of 
feats of strength and agility, much to the injury of 
their own present good and their prospects in life. 
It even impaired their health. 

They had both put themselves under training dur- 
ing the long vacation, and each returned to the sem- 
inary fully confident of obtaining the mastery over 
the other. Nevertheless, although Bradlej^ Arm- 
strong could lift, row and hold up heavy weights 
slightly better, Henry Fleetwood excelled a trifle in 
running, pitching quoits and base ball. But in 
wrestling they were so nearly equal that the question 
of the slightest superiority of one over the other re- 
mained undecided. 


FOKTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


309 


The seminary boys, as they were called, many of 
whom were twenty-five years of age, numbered nearly 
three hundred, of whom about half were the admir- 
ers of Armstrong and the other half believed that 
Fleetwood was the superior athlete. There were 
nearly two hundred scholars in the ladies’ building. 

By the end of his first fortnight Jackson had, by 
watching and participation, become an average player 
at football. Now it chanced one day, during the 
height of the game, that the ball was kicked so that 
it fell, quite unexpectedly, between Armstrong and 
Jackson, and as the game was near its close, and 
still hung in doubt, the side which obtained posses- 
sion of the ball would undoubtedly win. Those on 
the side of Armstrong, confident of his superiority, 
at once arrayed themselves to prevent the other side 
from giving aid and comfort to Jackson who was the 
lighter of the two contestants. 

Jackson had not intended to strive for the mas- 
tery in either racing or wrestling; nevertheless, 
without one thought of the consequences, in the zeal 
which he felt that he owed his side, there was a 
clinch, and the next instant he was almost lifted 
from his feet. It was a new and unexpected maneu- 
ver ; but to the surprise of the beholders, the next 


310 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


moment both contestants were again fii’mly on their 
feet in a struggle for the victory. Jackson was not 
master of the science ; but his frame had been in- 
jured neither by rum, beer nor other dissipation, 
and his muscles, naturally strong, had been, at sea 
and in Great Forest, converted into “ cords of iron 
bands.” 

To the surprise of the lookers-on there was a real 
contest and the contestants were not very unequally 
matched ; in fact, the victory hung in doubt. The 
interest in the game of football was lost sight of in 
the general desire to learn which of the two was the 
superior wrestler. Both athletes were taken com- 
pletely by surprise ; for each had no doubt of his 
own superiority. Jackson was astonished that there 
was so much in science while his opponent was no 
less so to learn that there was so much in healthy 
trained muscle when not exercised especially for 
that particular work. 

One characteristic on which Jackson predicted a 
victory was his staying qualities or power of endur- 
ance, and every moment his own chances were im- 
proving. The struggle had been prolonged to an 
unwonted length when with an effort, which taxed 
all his science and strength, Armstrong brought his 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


311 


antagonist upon one knee, and there was a cheer of 
coming victory, for it looked as though Jackson was 
to be thrown the next instant. But summoning all 
his strength, he siezed his opponent by the hip and 
the next moment Armstrong passed, seemingly, over 
Jackson’s shoulder like a projectile, and in another 
instant stepping to where the ball lay, the victor 
sent it into the air and over the line with a well-di- 
rected kick, and the game was won. 

Cheer after cheer rent the air, and the boys would 
have carried him in triumph, but he decidedly ob- 
jected, turning his whole attention to Armstrong and 
extending his hand as he said, “ There are ups and 
downs in life, and the next time you may be at the 
top.” 

Though terribly crestfallen, Armstrong would 
have laid up no score against Jackson but for the 
latter’s admirers who rung the changes upon the 
would-be champion’s emphatic defeat; and, as a 
natural consequence, the vanquished athlete was 
nettled to no little extent ; in fact, he brooded over 
his mishap as a misfortune of no mean magnitude. 

The next day another little scene occured. ]Martin 
Hayward, a young student from the rural districts, 
dressed somewhat out of style, came into the recita- 


312 FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 

tion room, considerably in the fog about his lesson, 
and asked Armstrong regarding a point. 

Had the athlete thoroughly understood the sub- 
ject he would have taken no small pride in an ex- 
planation. But being as ignorant of the problem 
as Hayward, he replied, “ Oh, go away, Hayseed, 
and don’t bother me.” 

The country boy replied with some asperity. 

‘‘ If you get too saucy I shall cuff your ears ; so 
be warned, ” said Armstrong. 

Oh, you will, will you ?” exclaimed the farmer’s 
son, Suppose I should down you as you were 
downed yesterday when we all saw you sprawling 
before a student younger and lighter.” 

“Please don’t! don’t !” protested Jackson. “I 
decidely object to being mixed up in such a warm 
dispute. But what explanation do you wish? Get 
each lesson thoroughly and the next will come to 
you only half as difficult. ” 

Hayward stated the cloudy point, upon which 
Jackson had consumed an hour in clearing up. 

Our hero explained when the farmer’s son thanked 
him, but added that he felt almost discouraged and 
wished he had remained at home. He had heard 
of poor fallows getting an education, but he was in- 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


313 


experienced, awkward and poor. ‘‘No use,” he 
added. “ I’ll start for home at the end of the quar- 
ter.” 

“ Oh, I wouldn’t do that,” replied our hero. “ Do 
the best you can and leave the rest to God. Re- 
member that it is not what we do but what we are 
that constitutes our status in His eyes.” 

“ Perfect nonsense ! ” broke in Armstrong, who 
was anxious to vent a portion of his spite upon some 
one. 

The Principal had entered to hear the recitation ; 
and at once asked Jackson what he meant by his 
remark. 

“ I mean this,” was the ready reply : “ One of 

the best women in our whole town is in the alms- 
house and bed-ridden.” 

“A splendid illustration,” commented the Princi- 
pal. “It is not what she does, but what she really 
is. Thank you.” 

“It is like a benediction to visit her. Through 
ten long years of helplessness she has never com- 
plained, but been one of the happiest persons in all 
the world. Her faith seems perfect.” 

“I don’t believe the story,” said the athlete. 
“Tell that to the marines; the sailors won’t be- 
lieve it.” 


314 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


‘‘ Greenfield is a sailor boy,” remarked Hayward, 
addressing the Principal, who responded: Why, 

yes, I remember now that Eev. Mr. Woodbury so 
informed me. How many years were you on the 
seas ? ” 

“ Five years,” 

It may be well to state, for the benefit of some of 
our readers, that in some seminaries the professors 
address the scholars as Smith First, Smith Second 
and Smith Third, if there chance to be three of that 
name; but, if only one Jones, it is merely Jones, 
invariably calling the last name ; not in disrespect, 
of course, but for convenience. 

“ I do not believe it,” commented Armstrong. 

“I think you are making quite a mistake,” said 
the Principal, well known for his Christian gentle- 
ness. “Your comment might lead others to doubt 
your own veracity ; because people are apt to re- 
mark, he judges others by himself.” 

At the close of the lesson the kindly Principal 
turned to Jackson, who, with Hayward, lingered a 
minute, and commended him for his manly Christian 
forbearance, and inquired if there was any cause for 
ill-will between Armstrong and himself. To which 
our hero replied that he knew of none. But Hay- 
ward mentioned the yesterday’s wrestling match. 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


315 


do not like to believe, however,” explained 
Jackson, “ that such an affair could produce any 
particular enmity.” 

“ That is because you are a peacemaker,” replied 
Hayward. “ I am not ; it isn’t in me ; therefore I 
see the hatred engendered by such signal defeat ; 
and I warn you to be on your guard for the meanest 
trick he can play you. After my timely caution, if 
you are caught off guard it will be your own fault.” 

“But my motto, in all such cases, is to watch 
and pray,” answered Jackson. 

“And keep sweet,” added the Principal. 

“I can’t,” commented Hayward. “It isn’t in 
me.” 

“ Then have it in you,” replied the kind-hearted 
professor. “ I was once hot and quick in anger, 
and, of course, in quarrel. I fought it day and 
night ; nevertheless, it was there only in a little less 
degree. I learned that the only way not to quarrel 
was not to become angry within ; just as the stove 
never gets angrily heated without a fire inside ; 
neither will the kettle boil without heat under it. 
‘ Out of the heart are the issues of life.’ Never get 
angry within and the anger will never burst out.” 

“Can’t be done with me,” retorted Hayward. 


316 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


‘‘Archimedes said ‘ Give me a place to stand, and I 
will lift the world.’ I need a place to stand.” 

“ Stand where you are, and lift what you can,” 
exclaimed Jackson. “ Life is not a dress parade, 
but a glorious battle in which we should fight the 
good fight of faith, faiths faith ; aye, faith in the 
Captain of our salvation. That encourages, gives 
courage.” 

“I like that kind of talk,” commented the Princi- 
pal. “ Enter the noble Christian army, Hayward; 
and when the roll is called be ready for duty instead 
of on a furlough. Sometimes we begin by marking 
time. But be ready when the Commander shouts, 
‘Forward, March!’ I think, Greenfield, I must 
leave him in your hands ; for it is time for the next 
class recitation.” 


CHAPTER XXXTX. 


SURPRISES. 

That evening the Principal surprised Jackson by 
a call at his room. The visitor merely intended to 
stop for a fifteen-minute conference ; but he tarried 
nearly three hours. Half that period he was a most 
loving and judicious teacher and adviser ; but the 
balance of the time he was a most willing listener 
and student. 

The good and learned man said that he had been 
from the first deeply interested in Jackson because 
of the two saintly men and the two saintly women 
who came with him and with which quartette he had 
been so fortunate as to have a short interview. He 
had watched the student they brought, and his 
kindly but manly ways had won his esteem. 

The results of the protracted interview were that 
they became warm friends, learned the salient events 
of each other’s lives and the chief individual charac- 
teristics. Their friendship is still a blessed cord 

binding them together, however far from each other. 

317 


318 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


As a further result of the interview Jackson, by 
and by, took an active part and an interest in the 
lyceum connected with the seminary, the occasional 
temperance meetings and the students’ religious 
meetings on Wednesday evenings, as well as the 
Sunday services, including the Sunday-school, in all 
of which organizations he gained experience, a 
knowledge of people, how to express himself, be- 
sides that self-poise so essential in the work of the 
ministry as well as in nearly every other good word 
and work. 

It often seemed to him that his life-work had been 
awaiting him at this popular seat of learning. He 
even wrote to Mr. and Mrs. Woodbury these 
thoughts which seemed . to overwhelm him like a 
flood and bear him onward amid the seemingly re- 
sistless tide. But there soon came back a loving 
reply that he take up the duties at hand and appro- 
priate the blessings which always come from the 
practice of righteous living ; and he would not fail 
to be led in a plain path when the exigencies came, 
be they the particular phases of his life-work or the 
localities where his labor was to be done. 

Jackson showed the letter to the Principal and re- 
ceived his congratulations, kindly wishes and ad- 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


319 


vice. At first he wondered why such a seemingly 
ordinary man ever obtained so responsible a posi- 
tion ; but in a month he wondered if there were 
another who could fill the place so well. 

Notwithstanding his multifarious duties and the 
voluntary responsibilities he assumed, the Principal 
was never in a hurry and never appeared to lack 
for time and opportunity to listen to or encourage 
any conscientious student who was really anxious to 
do good work and make sacrifices for the good of 
mankind. All this was accomplished in such a 
quiet, unassuming way that no one had aught of 
which to complain or an excuse for not receiving 
the joy and blessing of his kindly offices. The man 
who performed all this immense work, which would 
have broken down thousands of others far more 
robust, physically, did it thankfully and joyfully. 
Whenever trouble and sorrow looked in on this 
humble and devoted follower of his Divine Master, 
they found him too busy for an interview and took 
an abrupt and speedy departure. 

And Jackson wrote home all about his blessed 
privilege in having such a counsellor and friend 
who helped him so much, especially by an example 
which he was trying to follow. And in the same 


320 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


mail went a letter from the Principal describing a 
few of the many excellent things which Jackson was 
accomplishing among the students by his kindly ex- 
ample, and the great help he, the Principal, received 
from even one scholar who was so helpful to others. 
And there was great rejoicing among our hero’s 
Ardenville friends. 

But were everybody good, there would be little 
need of preachers and reformers, and the moral and 
spiritual muscles of the average person would grow 
weak indeed. And, therefore, our Maker did not 
permit Jackson’s moral muscles to become feeble by 
the lack of opportunity for their healthful exercise. 

One night our hero awoke and found himself in 
what seemed a horrible nightmare, or was he still 
dreaming? No, he could see the walls of the room, 
the ceiling, and some ef the furniture, yet he had 
not power to move or cry out. He saw distinctly 
the window through which the moonlight came, flood- 
ing the room with a soft, silvery glow, like twilight. 
The direct rays or beams of the moon struck merely 
the window sill and an oblong square space on the 
carpeted floor. 

Jackson most strenuously endeavored to shout or 
move, but there he lay as helpless as if dead ; never- 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


321 


theless, his mind was active and his sense of sight, 
especially, in full vigor. Had he been rendered 
helpless by a paralytic shock ? or, had some burglar 
entered and chloroformed him ? 

Very gradually he came to realize the fact that 
some person was within his room, and soon after 
some one passed out of the window upon the tin 
roof of the long veranda, which roof was nearly as 
high as the low window sill. In another moment 
he began to recover from his semi-trance state when 
the report of a pistol roused him considerably, and 
he sprang out of bed, as he supposed, but soon dis- 
covered that he had tumbled or rolled out. He stag- 
gered to the window when Hayward, who was on 
the tin roof with a pistol in his right hand, looked 
in, saying : 

‘‘ Some one either entered your room or tried to ; 
for I saw a man leave this window.” 

“ Was it your pistol I heard ? 

“ Yes ; I saw a dark shadow, and as that was all 
I saw resembling a man, I fired. It ought to be 
made dangerous for burglars to enter students? 
rooms after they have retired. Why, your room is 
full of chloroform.” 

‘‘Yes; and Pm half dazed with it yet. Some 


322 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


one was in here and I saw him pass out of the 
window. But he has not taken my gold watch, a 
present from Mrs. Woodbury. And here is my 
diamond stud from Mr. Arden. Here are my cuff- 
buttons from Mrs. Arden. Money all safe in my ! 
pocket-book. Here is my Bible from Eev. Mr. 
Woodbury with the gold cross upon it. Why, I do j 
not see into it. Everything seems to be all right. j 
Nothing missing. What can it mean?” 1 

‘‘lYell, it is strano-e. What could have been the 1 

. . 1 

object? Chloroformed, yet nothing missing. Now 
something awoke me. It was not any noise ; yet j 
I can hardly think it the smell of chloroform, al- 
though I smelled that at once after I woke. I think ^ 
it was some one who, in passing my window, dark- J 
ened it, and then the moonlight streamed in again ] 
after he passed. Nevertheless, a cloud would have 
accomplished the same thing ; yet that never wakes 
me.” 

“ Our rooms join. The next apartment to yours 
is Armstrong’s. The next one beyond his is Smith 
and Baldwin’s. The next one to mine is Fleet- 
wood’s and the next one, on his side beyond, is 
Lane and Jones’s. Say as little as possible about 
certain particulars which I will point out. But 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


323 


above all things do not argue the question how it 
could have happened. Let everybody except us 
make use of all the theories possible and publish 
them broadcast; but do not theorize in public. 
There is some deep conspiracy here ; but I do not 
surmise what it can be. There are certain facts in 
regard to this which we must tell in the morning, 
but let us decide what.” 

‘‘All right!” responded Hayward. “Well, 
anything you say ; only Td like to shoot somebody.” 

“ Please don’t shoot me,” said Jackson, laughing. 
“Wise as serpents, you know, and harmless as 
doves.” 

“ If I could catch the scamp, he’d find me wise 
as serpents and harmless as rattlesnakes.” 

“Temper, temper, Hayward. You must govern 
your temper.” 

“ Govern my temper?” retorted Hayward, hotly, 
“ I govern more temper in an hour than you do in 
a month.” 

“ That was a good one, Hayward. I’ll risk you 
after all. You complain of poverty. Give up your 
loom and come in with me, where rent will cost you 
nothing. Come, what say ? I owe you a debt of 
gratitude for the noise you made opening your win- 


324 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


dow, and the efforts you made must have saved me 
from further molestation. But I must go to bed. 
The effect of that chloroform or ether is terrible. 
Pm growing sick.” 

“ Take a warm water emetic, and you will be all 
right in a few minutes. A cup of coffee is excellent 
in such cases. You are not used to intoxicants, but 
you are half drunk.” 

‘‘ Well, be lively, for Pm deathly sick. I feel al- 
most as though my last hour had come.” 

“ Pshaw ! pshaw, Greenfield. Don’t get fright- 
ened. Pll have you all right in a few minutes.” 

In less than a half hour Jackson was himself again. 
In another hour Hayward’s scanty furnishings were 
in our hero’s room, and a few minutes later both 
were in bed. Jackson was almost asleep when he 
aroused himself, sa3ung : 

‘‘ Hayward, had I been like you, I would have 
owned a pistol and shot you as you looked in at 
the window.” 

‘‘ So you would. I never thought of that.” He 
laughed. “You must have saved my life by not 
carrying a pistol, or, rather, by not having my dis- 
position.” 

“But I once had a quick temper, and I used to 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


325 


get the rope’s end with a vengeance on board ship. 
Never did a bit of good.” 

No, of course not; made you worse. Tougher 
than a boarding house steak, wasn’t it? How did 
you learn to govern your temper ? ” 

“ Never did learn. Can’t be done. It must be 
got rid of just as our Principal said. Never get 
mad inside and by lack of heat you’ll never boil 
over.” 

Quite a pause ensued, when Hayward broke the 
silence : ‘‘ Greenfield ! ” 

“Yes, sir.” 

“I’m going to try to be like you.” 

“ Don’t you do it. Take our Principal for a pat- 
tern. That’s the way I did. There is a man in Ar- 
denville called ’Squire Benson. Rather stilted in 
speech, with a gentlemanly atmosphere all around 
him. Takes a little time to get acquainted, but 
everybody does before a great while. He is beloved 
by everybody because he first loved everybody ; 
and his happiness is like the ocean, whose tides 
move on forever. I envied him at first. That was 
the way God took to interest me in him until I 
longed to do him a favor. The opportunity came, 
but, strange to say, not until he had, without my 


326 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


asking, done me a favor which cost him nothing. 
I did him quite a flivor. Then I was bound to be 
like him in kindness. That was my starting point. 
But I had plenty of help. God always does the 
greater part, you know. He sent me a little guard- 
ian angel.” Pause. ‘‘I’ll tell you more some 
day. One thing more. Always remember that 
when we seem to tread the winepress alone there is 
somebody at our right hand to help us, and He is 
with us even to the end of the world.” 

“Thank you. I understand. But to be true 
Christians, we should do grand things.” 

“ Yet not necessarily anything remarkable. My 
patroness, Maud Woodbury, is a saint ; yet she never 
did a remarkable thing. Avoiding scepticism, in- 
cluding Agnosticism, seek that faith, in God and 
our Divine Master, which makes us faithful.” 

“ Well, that would be wonderful for me. But 
what is meant by Agnosticism ? ” 

“ Formerly it stood for the denial that God knows 
all things. It signifies, ‘I don’t know’; in theory 
opposing Deism and Atheism ; sceptically denying 
the doctrines of Jesus and Paul, that God’s exist- 
ence and a future life have been demonstrated, and 
are known to be true.” (See Luke xx., 35-38; 
John vii., 17 ; xiv. ; xv. ; 2 Cor. v., 1, etc.) 


CHAPTER XL. 


UNDER SUSPICION. 

The next morning onr hero overslept himself. He 
was awakened by a loud knock. Hayward was up, 
and, at the request of Jackson, opened the door 
where the room-mates discovered the Principal and 
two other gentlemen professors with Armstrong. 

‘‘ Come right in gentlemen,” said Jackson in a 
cheery voice. ‘‘I am generally an early riser. I 
was obliged to practice it on shipboard. But I was 
chloroformed last night by some one who entered 
my room. Perhaps you may detect the scent now 
although I cannot ; for I have got used to it during 
the night.” 

‘‘I detect it plainly,” responded the Principal. 
“But, Greenfield and Hayward, are you willing 
that your room should be searched?” 

“Certainly! most certainly I ” replied our hero. 
“ Make your search. But what are you searching 
for?” 

Armstrong laughed. “ Come, now, that is carry- 
ing the thing too far. After stealing my translation, 
327 


328 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


my essay, my shoe-creepers, and above all my Jeru- 
salem pin, don’t try to bluff us. Give them up and 
it shall go no farther. I have no wish to injure 
you.” 

“I demand an explanation,” replied Jackson. 
‘‘ Not that I fail to understand your whole conspir- 
acy. But be fully assured that in this case it will 
not work. The game is too hackneyed to frighten 
me. When you entered my room and chloroformed 
me, where did you secrete the things that you might 
charge me with theft? This is carrying your spite 
too far.” 

‘‘Spite? spite? What possible spite could I 
have against you?” 

“You showed it pretty freely in the recitation 
room,” retorted Hayward ; “ yet you ask what pos- 
sible spite. Who sent you sprawling in a fair and 
square wrestle?” 

“Make a clean breast of your conspiracy, and 
take the things you secreted here last night,” said 
Jackson, “ and it shall drop right here. Otherwise 
I shall institute proceedings to compel you to make 
acknowledgment.” 

“ Go right ahead,” replied Armstrong with a 
contemptuous sneer. “But you’ll come out at the 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


329 


little end of the horn, I warn you. Nevertheless, 
as I would not like to injure you, especially as you 
are to enter the ministry, I shall merely take my 
property and let the matter drop.’’ 

“But you will not be allowed to let it drop,” 
put in Hayward, still smarting under the athlete’s 
former insulting remarks and epithets. “I saw 
you when you left that window at two o’clock last 
night, or rather this morning. I did not recognize 
you at the time ; for I thought it some other sneak- 
thief burglar, and I seized my pistol and rushed out 
upon the tin roof. However, you had left on a 
double-quick. You even forgot to bid us good- 
night, a very ungentlemanly neglect of refined eti- 
quette which no cultivated person would think of 
omitting. But, like the man who broke jail, I sup- 
pose your excuse will be that in the hurry and ex- 
citement of leaving you forgot your manners.” The 
speaker thought his shot hit the mark. 

“There, that will do,” said Armstrong, with his 
customary sneer. “ I am deeply concerned for 
your health. 1 am afraid that your eflTort will set 
you into a decline, and our country flower will be 
nipped in the bud.” 

“I might retort by referring to you as a cabbage- 


330 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


head, in danger of bursting by your pompous sneers,” 
retorted Hayward, “ only that would be untrue, be- 
cause you never did come to a head. Nothing save 
a puff-ball ; nothing more, gentleman, I do assure 
you.” 

“No more of this,” said the Principal, quietly. 
“ Please do not forget yourselves again. Now here 
are both Smith and Baldwin. Did either of you 
hear any one on the tin roof during the preceding 
night ? ” 

“Nothing whatever,” replied Smith. “I am 
very easy to wake, and should have certainly heard 
any one, however cautious in his movements. I 
slept soundly the whole night long.” 

“ I can testify to the same thing in regard to my- 
self,” added Baldwin. “ Heard nothing whatever. 
But no man could possibly step upon the tin roof 
and I not wake. My eyes fly right open at the flrst 
little noise.” 

“ Looks like a very bad case,” said one of the 
professors, addressing the Principal. “Let us 
search at once.” 

It is needless, perhaps, to state that the missing 
articles were all found in the proverbial trunk. 
The Principal looked puzzled and a shade troubled 
for a few moments, but his face soon cleared. 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


331 


‘‘ I would advise you to acknowledge your guilt 
and promise amendment,” remarked one of the pro- 
fessors, addressing Jackson. “We shall only sus- 
pend for a week, but without sending you home. 
Eepentance for wrong-doing is always in order.” 

“ I demand a trial before the professors,” replied 
Jackson. “ If not accorded me I shall seek it 
through the regular law courts. Even had I no 
money to fight this contest I would not flinch, but 
battle for my honor until I could war no longer. 
But, gentlemen, I have friends who will never desert 
me. I have neither parents, brothers, sisters, nor 
one rich relation ; nevertheless, money will not be 
lacking to employ the ablest lawyers and carry the 
case, if appeal becomes necessary, up to the highest 
court. However, all I ask is a trial before the 
faculty unless, indeed, this burglar who broke into 
my room shall confess the conspiracy to ruin my 
reputation and will also promise amendment.” 

“ But there is no motive,” replied the professor. 

“ That point you have already decided and ruled 
out of court, have you?” asked Jackson. “ Then I 
must appeal to our beloved Principal. Have you, 
also, prejudged the case? If so, the law must take 
its course, and I shall have Armstrong arrested for 
burglary before I eat my breakfast.” 


332 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


“ I have not prejudged the case on any point/’ 
replied the Principal. “Perhaps I ought to state, 
however, that my young friend Greenfield has be- 
come very dear to me because of his wonderful in- 
fluence for good, and for the reason, therefore, that 
I am fully confident of the way whereby he can be- 
come a bright and shining light in the world. For 
that reason I cannot but hope for his acquittal.” 

“ Our honored Principal is too much moved by 
charity,” remarked one of the professors. “ Justice, 
however, must have its honorable place here.” 

“Do not forget, however,” replied Jackson, 
“ that if, through mistaken mercy, you exonerate 
Armstrong at my expense, T shall be forced to ap- 
peal to that very justice which I am glad to be told 
you accord such an honorable place. The law gives 
me the un trammeled right to appeal to Csesar, and 
if you prejudge, to Caesar I shall go.” 

“Simple obstinacy, even when .coupled with 
gold, does not always win cases,” remarked one of 
the professors. 

“I sincerely hope not,” replied Jackson, “for 
then my opponent’s case would be about as good as 
won. But, gentlemen, we are consuming our time 
when duties call us elsewhere. Shall I appeal to 
Caesar or not ? ” 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


333 


“We will try the case,” said the Principal. 
“And the professors will try to remove all undue 
prejudice from their minds before the hearing. 
When shall it take place ? ” 

“ To-night,” exclaimed Armstrong. 

“ Amen ! To-night ! ” said Jackson. “ But ere 
we separate, Armstrong, let me say, that I have no 
wish to crush you. Simply acknowledge that you 
entered my room last night, and the whole matter 
shall be hushed up as far as I am able, and I will do 
what I can to restore you to your old position or 
even higher.” 

“Come, Greenfield,” replied Armstrong, “this 
farce, which you mistake for a convocation of cranks 
and pious fanatics, is played out. Let the ball go 
on.” 

“Let it roll on, then,” said Jackson, “seeing 
that you are unconsciously bent on self-destruction. 
But be warned that the one upon whom it rolls shall 
be ground to powder. I cannot, however, forbear 
to add a word regarding cranks and fanatics. I 
was once told to enter a rough hall and listen to a 
lot of cranks and fanatics who would amuse me. 
From curiosity I went ; but I was fiir more pleased 
than amused. A company of rough-looking, un- 


334 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


educated men and women, dressed in Salvation 
Army uniforms, arose, one after the other, and 
testified to the value of the Christian religion, told 
us what it had done for them when all other means 
had failed to lift them above their human passions 
and weaknesses. They told us how they hated sin, 
that the only way to salvation was being saved from 
the love of sin, and this must be made strong by the 
substitution of the love of right living. I wondered 
where the crank and fanaticism came in. I suppose, 
however, it was in wishing to be better men and 
women, and in being zealously aflfected in a good 
cause. Now I could not work so effectively with 
those reformers as with others ; nevertheless, I said. 
May their tribe increase.” 

‘‘Amen !” said the Principal. “ For every tem- 
perance crank in the whole nation there are two 
rum cranks in almost any city of fifty thousand in- 
habitants, and for every fanatic in the Salvation 
Army throughout the world there are two worldly 
fanatics outside of the church in every such city as 
I have named. The farther you get away from the 
Christian church the more cranks and fiinatics you 
will find.” 

As the visitors were leaving, Hayward exclaimed, 


FORTUNKS AND MISFORTUNES. 


335 


“Let me speak, Greenfield, I can explain the whole 
afi’air.” 

“Not until night,” protested Jackson, “But 
here are the very persons we wish to consult. Lane 
and Jones, did either of you hear anything peculiar 
during the night?” 

“ AYhy yes/* replied Lane. “ Jones and I were 
awakened by a cracking noise as though ice was 
breaking and sliding from the roof, but there being 
no ice, I concluded that it must have been a pistol 
shot and some one upon the tin roof. Fleetwood, 
in the next room, was also roused from sleep by the 
same pistol shot and creaking.” 

‘‘At what hour?” 

“About two o’clock. Must have been Hayward’s 
pistol shot and his jumping from his window upon 
the tin roof at the same moment.” 

“ Just what I did do,” exclaimed Hayward. 

“Nevertheless,” added Lane, “Armstrong has 
the whole advantage on his side ; for, as Smith and 
Baldwin emphatically affirm, had any burglar, 
whether Armstrong or any one else, been on the tin 
roof, he would have awakened them.” 

“ Why, gentlemen,” exclaimed Hayward, “ I saw 
a man right at Greenfield’s window.” 


336 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


“ Unfortunately,” replied Lane, “ the bird-house 
and the twelve-inch joist on which it stands cast a 
shadow at his window. Grand opportunity for im- 
agination.” 

“Sol see,” commented Jackson, smiling. “ Nev- 
ertheless, I shall fight it out on this line if it takes 
the whole of next summer.” 

Hayward endeavored to state a little theory of his 
own. But Jackson asked him to pause until night. 

After they were left alone he talked with his new 
room-mate for a half hour, during which time both 
students laughed several times. Then Hayward 
took his text-books and left, after which Jack 
plunged into his studies, seemingly undisturbed by 
the suspicion under which his reputation was shad- 
owed. 


CHAPTER XLI. 


THE TRIAL. 

The trial was set for eight o’clock, and to take 
place in what was called the Chapel, being the main 
school-room, about forty feet square, where, during 
school hours, the girls, or young ladies, occupied 
one side and the boys, or young men, the other. 
The apartment was also used for reading composi- 
tions, declamations, morning prayers, evening re- 
ligious services once or twice each week. The Ly- 
ceum w.as also held there, and the students’ library 
case stood against the wall, in one corner. 

The trial was to be public. Armstrong had in- 
sisted upon it. He had no wish that things apper- 
I taining to his personal character and reputation 
I should be done in a corner. So he said, and Jack- 
son agreed to everything. 

The Principal and two others of the corps of pro- 
fessors constituted the court, and the three judges 
occupied the platform. The room was crowded and 
the hallways filled. 


337 


338 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


The first witness was Armstrong himself, who was 
very anxious for the advantage of the first impres- 
sion. He told his story freely, and produced a pro- 
found sensation. Greenfield, he said, called upon 
him, to whom he had shown the things afterwards 
stolen from his room. His visitor had taken a deep 
interest in the Jerusalem pin, which contained an 
impression of the likeness of Solomon’s Temple. 
It was of no particular intrinsic value, being prized 
merely as a souvenir from the Holy City. He had 
wished to take the professors with him to Green- 
field’s room, because he felt assured that he could 
not obtain the stolen articles alone. He felt guilty 
himself, because having been accidentally thrown by 
the thief in a wrestle. (It was a mere accident.) 
He had treated his visitor a little uncourteously, and 
used considerable sarcasm, at which his visitor, and 
he did not blame him under so much provocation, 
became white with rage and left without a word, 
etc., etc. 

“ At what time,” asked Jackson, as his own law- 
yer, ‘‘ did this visit occur?” 

‘‘Why, you know yourself as well as I do.” 

“ Very true,” responded Jackson. “ I know full as 
well as you. At what hour did the visit take place ? ” 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


339 


<< Why ask me when you know the time?” 

“ Because I never was inside of your room, and, 
therefore, cannot definitely fix the hour. Was it 
forenoon, afternoon, or evening?” 

“ I decline to answer because you know.” 

. “ You must answer,” said the Principal, ‘‘ or we 
shall be obliged to throw out your whole testimony 
as worthless.” 

The time was finally fixed at between four and five 
o’clock. 

I “Between four and five,” repeated Jackson, 

“four and five.” 

I 

Smith and Baldwin, with great assurance, testified 
... that no one could possibly step upon the tin roof 
without waking them ; therefore, as they slept 
I through the whole night, no one could have been 
j upon the roof. There could be no mistake. 

I “I have no wish to injure Greenfield,” commented 
, Armstrong. “ I am perfectly willing that the pro- 
ceedings end right here and all shake hands, letting 
! the whole matter drop ; and 1 sincerely hope with- 
out a suspension of our fellow student for an hour.” 
There was applause from three hundred scholars 
; of both sexes. When the clapping, cries of good 
and waving of handkerchiefs had ceased, Jackson 
said : 

'J'-V , 


340 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


“The court must proceed or I shall appeal to 
CaBsar. We have been treated to two testimonies 
which consist- wholly of theory, except the fact that 
the witnesses are excellent sleepers. There is a 
well-known theory among sceptics that the Bible 
contradicts science. But consulting dull realism, 
geology teaches that the world and its inhabitants 
were made in precisely the order narrated in Gene- 
sis, while Job says, ‘ Thou hangest the earth upon 
nothing.’ But let us learn what took place while our 
two rivals of the seven sleepers were in Agnostic 
coma.” 

For the first time Fleetwood, Lane and Jones saw 
that Jackson was on solid ground, and with smiling 
faces testified to being awakened by a pistol shot, 
and what sounded like crackling ice. But there 
being no ice, all three decided that some student 
sportively fired a pistol and jumped upon the tin 
roof. But not wishing either to mix in the rowdy- 
ism, or become informers, they had kept their 
rooms. 

“Nevertheless,” commented Jackson, although 
Fleetwood, Lane and Jones were awakened, all this 
racket utterly failed to disturb the remarkably peace- 
ful slumbers and absorbing dreams of Smith or Bald- 
win who wake so easily.” 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


341 


Here the girls tittered and several laughed while 
the boys indulged in prolonged gufhiws until the 
Principal requested silence. 

“Doubtless/’ remarked Jackson, “ both Baldwin 
and Smith intended to be truthful ; but like people 
confident of their own infallibility they had con- 
structed a theory and tried to make all facts conform 
to their mere suppositions. I trust I may be al- 
lowed the remark that many credulous people, igno- 
rant of Scripture, will willingly and gladly pay 
fifty cents to hear some very attractive theorizer 
declare how absurdly the Bible states that Cain went 
into the land of Nod and took him a wife, that the 
Ark rested on a mountain over three miles high, that 
Moses stretched his rod over the Red Sea and it in- 
stantly receded, etc., etc. Yet if these unsuspect- 
ing dupes, so easily deceived, would but spend one 
hour with a Bible and concordance, they would easily 
learn facts, instead of purchasing moonshine. They 
would learn that the Ark rested upon the hills or 
“Mountains of Ararat,” that Cain went into the 
land of Nod but not to get a wife, that after Moses 
stretched his staff over the Red Sea the Avind blew 
all night ere the Avater receded. But gullible peo- 
ple find it so much easier to be deluded by an infai- 


342 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


lible theorizer than search for themselves or consult 
a Biblical scholar. But I beg pardon for wandering 
so far. And now to return, I think, Lane, you do 
not sleep so heavily as Smith and Baldwin?” 

“ I hope not,” replied Lane. ‘‘ Perhaps an earth- 
quake might break their slumbers ; nevertheless, 
when Gabriel ” — 

“ That will suflSce,” remarked the Principal. 

Jackson knew how to relate a story, and he told 
his own efiectively, carrying conviction to others 
besides the Principal. He ended by saying that 
from four to half-past four he was reciting to a pro- 
fessor, while from that time to five o’clock he was 
seated in the Chapel, as probably fifty persons would 
testify. Nevertheless, Armstrong had testified that 
he, Greenfield, was paying that celebrated visit be- 
tween four and five o’clock. He could not possibly 
account for Armstrong’s blunder in fixing upon such 
an inopportune time except, that through heedless- 
ness, he had not given suflScient time, before going 
upon the witness stand, to concoct that part of his 
yarn. Armstrong was far from lacking ability ; but 
a false witness, especially if actuated by hate, blun- 
ders in story-telling. 

“That will suffice,” interrupted the Principal. 
“Are there any more witnesses?” 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES, 


343 


“ I have one more,” replied Jackson. I refer 
to Hayward, who should have been here by this 
time. While there does not seem to be any need of 
him, I wish to teach every student how liable those, 
who dig pits for others, are to fall into the pit they 
themselves scoop out.” 

“ I wish to remark right here,” put in Armstrong, 
who felt as though the floor was rocking and all the 
students winking in derision, while his brain was 
reeling, yet making one more effort to retrieve his 
case, “ I wish to remark right here that I was mis- 
taken regarding the time of Greenfield’s visit.” 

“At what time would you now state it occurred ? ” 
asked the Principal. 

“ I recollect now that I looked at the clock while 
Greenfield was in my room, and noted the hour. 
The hands indicated quarter of seven. I can hardly 
account for my blunder.” 

“ I shall be obliged to assume the witness stand 
myself,” remarked the Principal; “ for from half- 
past six until seven Greenfield and I were discuss- 
ing a little change in the mid-week evening confer- 
ence meetings that more of the youth might be in- 
duced to participate.” 

Armstrong not only turned pale, but great beads 


344 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


stood upon his brow. At this moment Hayward en- 
tered with a lot of pasteboard boxes under his arm, 
saying, “ Tm a little late ; but owing to the care of 
these bundles I missed the conveyance and had to 
walk, and every few yards the things seemed deter- 
mined to get the better of me.” 

“We are ready for you to take the stand,” said 
Jackson. 

Hayward related the story mostly already given, 
of his night’s adventures. He saw the burglar at 
Greenfield’s window, ran for his pistol, opened the 
window, jumped out, striking the tin roof so hard 
that he feared he should rouse the whole village ; 
yet even this small earthquake failed to disturb 
Smith and Baldwin. Then he .fired his pistol at 
what he concluded was a shadow. 

“ Did you kill it?” asked a student. 

“No, sir. Fired to miss if it was an innocent 
calf, and to kill if it was a burglarious deer. Found 
’twas nothing but an imaginary man. I saw that he 
had the shadow of a saw, sawing moonbeams in two 
or three'for fuel.” 

There was a laugh at the expense of the ques- 
tioner. 

“Ask me something two or three shadows harder,” 


i’ORTtJNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


345 


said Hayward, who then went on with his story. 
“ I felt quite anxious about the atfair until Green- 
field showed up the lameness of the water fowl; 
and it was a foul aflfair, conceived in stupidity and 
brought forth in foolishness. 

‘‘Well, I set out this morning for the city where 
Armstrong resides, taking my books to study on 
the way. After a search of more than three hours, 
through many variety stores, I came to a ten-cent 
store where I asked the proprietor fora few of those 
very rare, ancient and unique Oriental or Jerusalem 
pins. Such a rare old souvenir he couldn’t recall 
ever having seen. Then I explained that I meant 
a Jerusalem pin or badge, such as he brought from 
Palestine for Bradley Armstrong. Then he laughed 
till I thought he would dislocate his jaws, and said 
he had a limited supply of those ancient and valu- 
able specimens left. They were gotten up as a 
badge for the faithful ; were retailed at the fabulous 
price of ten cents each, seventy-five cents per dozen, 
four dollars per gross. How many left? Only 
four gross, — five hundred, seventy-six. Would 
close out the lot at a bargain. He wanted twelve 
dollars, and as it was past twelve o’clock and I 
wanted to get time to buy a suit of suitable clothes 


346 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


before returning home, and feeling too peaceful to 
beat any person whatever, I never tried to beat him 
down or up. Moreover, as I was spending Green- 
field’s money, I felt that I could afford to let Gen- 
erosity and her twin sister. Liberality, have their 
own way. I took the lot at his own price. And 
now, without regard to race, color or previous con- 
dition of servitude, any person, desiring one of 
these rare mementos to -keep in fond remembrance 
of this celebrated trial, will receive a Jerusalem 
pin ; but with this proviso, that the man you meet 
who is trying to convince people that everything 
happened, that Blind Chance rules, that laws exist 
without law-makers ; and especially if the person 
you meet is one of those Latter Day Saints, belong- 
ing to the Ambiguity Church for the spread of pure 
and undefiled irreligion, you will tell him to either 
take your badge or your hat.” 

As Hayward finished even the Principal smiled at 
the hits which he rightly surmised came in part from 
Jackson. The two associate judges laughed out- 
right, the girls waved their handkerchiefs, while the 
students rose and cheered for Greenfield, then for 
Hayward, then for the Principal, then for all the 
professors, then for the girls, then for the glorious 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


347 


old seminary. Then came yells, shrieks, tigers and 
groans. 

It seemed as though Pandemonium had broken 
loose. A rush was made for Armstrong, who, pale 
and trembling, appealed for mercy. Girls swooned 
while others stood with scared faces. 

“ Hustle him out ! Out with him ! Haze him I 
Duck him I Chuck him into the river ! Hang him ! 
Strangle the viper ! Crush the snake ! He is too 
mean to live I Down with him ! ” 

But amid the turmoil stood the Principal, calm 
and serene, holding aloft his right hand. He stood 
upon a small platform two steps above, and upon 
the main platform. He uttered not a word, for 
words would only have served to increase the tumult 
and engender practical defiance of anything save 
mob rule. The silent appeal was not only under- 
stood, but fascinated many of the rioters and prompted 
the loyal to action. 

In a moment, and before the mob could gain pos- 
session of Armstrong, Jackson rushed to his side, 
saying, “ Go upon the platform beside the Prin- 
cipal.’' 

It was easier said than done, for in a moment the 
athlete was not only surrounded and held by sev- 


348 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


eral students, but he was helpless from fear. Our 
hero struggled with the captors but in vain, until 
several men connected with the church and school, 
including Hayward and the two members of the 
court, came to his assistance, and the culprit was 
soon beside the Principal, surrounded and defended 
by a score of men. It was a scene never forgotten 
by those who witnessed it. 

“Among Cromwell’s Pikemen” as Jackson after- 
ward expressed it, were the professors, four staid 
old deacons, with white beards and firm-set lips, 
grand old soldiers of the cross, splendid representa- 
tives of the church militant. There was a saintly 
looking man, rapidly hastening to join the great 
army of the just made perfect, who, five minutes 
before, had been coughing in that peculiar way so 
indicative of the latter stages of consumption, never- 
theless, ready to face the whole mob if need be. 
Nearly every one of the Imperial Guard were men 
well-known as true followers of their Divine Com- 
mander. And, towering above all others, there 
stood a grand old man, over eighty years of age, 
who had followed the lead of Grant during the ter- 
rific charges at Shiloh. Of course, Jackson and Hay- 
ward were among the heroic score that surrounded 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


349 


the Principal, who stood like some statue, silent and 
picturesque, with his hand still raised. 

By and by the silent figure became more fascinat- 
ing as one after another turned their ^aze toward 
him, when commanding attention, the tumult less- 
ened, the affrighted girls’ faces changed from ex- 
pressions of fear to those of bewilderment, then of 
confidence. In a few minutes the billows of passion 
had almost ceased to roll, the turbulent waves rocked 
with little or no violence, the swell of emotion was 
hardly manifest. Then the Principal spoke and 
there was a great calm. 

At first the speaker’s voice, though clear, was so 
low that the auditors were obliged to listen intently 
to hear, but gradually it rose and swelled, yet still 
mellow and calm, until every syllable could be heard 
distinctly even throughout both hallways. They 
had met, he said, for the preservation of order and 
the promotion and encouragement of the principles 
of the Prince of Peace, to stand for the honor and 
glory of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. 
Let no one, either hastily or designedly, say or do 
anything which might cause one man to doubt that 
the glorious old seminary was keeping step to the 
music of that choir which continually, among the 


350 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


great multitude which no man could number, chanted 
the praises of God and the Lamb. Then he said, 
“ Let us pray.” And when, after the prayer, the 
students were dismissed, there was no disposition to 
liot or violence. 

Then the Principal sat down and his whole frame 
shook for some time. But by and by he grew calm 
and in a few minutes he spoke with his friends in 
his accustomed tone and his usual way. 

There was one of the seminary directors present, 
a man who had voted against the calling of this man 
to stand at the head of the institution, yet from that 
hour until death the Principal will have no firmer 
admirer and supporter. 

The Jerusalem badges were never distributed. 

Just before daybreak Jackson and Hayward and 
two of the deacons accompanied the poor wretch to 
the next station, where he boarded the train for 
home, but not before he had, for the twentieth time, 
thanked our hero and Hayward for their noble con- 
duct towards him, not until he had promised to lead 
a purer life. 


CHAPTER XLII. 


THE NEW ROLE. 

As Jackson and Hayward were returning to the 
seminary one of the deacons stepped between them, 
put his arms across their shoulders saying, “My 
young friends, you have acted nobly. Some may 
have thought you were, at one stage, a trifle frivo- 
lous, but I have no criticisms to make. You are 
built of the stuff which goes to make heroes and 
martyrs, and you are called to noble deeds. Make 
your calling and election sure. Your Principal is 
but an ordinarily endowed man; but his unselfish 
goodness makes him a power. Such a life is a con- 
tinual feast of fat things, and a constant blessing to 
others. Be faithful unto death, and heaven shall 
come to you.” 

“ With God’s help we will,” responded our hero. 

The couple were cheered, congratulated and lion- 
ized by the students, an entirely new experience for 
Hayward, which but for his room-mate might have 
turned his head. But that evening both called upon 

the Principal, who was evidently delighted to wel- 
351 


352 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


come them. It seemed marvelous to the two vis- 
itors what ample time he seemed to find to advise, 
help and encourage. 

“You should learn,” said the great man — great 
in goodness and devotion — “that in order to accom- 
plish the most and in the quickest way, never to get 
either impatient or in too much of a hurry. Never- 
theless, every man, to do grand things for God and 
man, must have an understanding of his epoch and 
not fritter away his time. You, Greenfield, have 
previously been tried and not found wanting. Sub- 
sequent events have, I trust, solidified the character 
gained. Now is one of the opportunities of a life- 
time. This event,” addressing Kay ward, “ has also 
given you an unexpected standing. Having gained 
it do not barter it away for mere selfish purposes. 
With one foot upon the steps leading to the throne 
af Egypt, Moses forsook all for God and his people, 
and became the greatest figure, save one, of all his- 
tory. Imitate him, but especially the Divine Man 
of Sorrows who so signally eclipses all.” 

Before the parting a definite line of work was 
marked out for Jackson, a labor in which Hayward 
promised and afterward rendered efficient aid. 

Jackson frequently went home, as he called the 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


353 


Woodbury residence, to which he was always wel- 
comed by the happy and blessed couple. During 
one of these visits he was received into the church, 
both baptism and receiving the right hand of fellow- 
ship taking place on the same day. 

The next Sabbath he and Hayward accompanied 
the Principal to Swampton where he saw a crowd of 
people watching some men firing at a mark while a 
few yards away were a company of boys getting 
ready for a rooster fight. He saw several intoxi- 
cated men, also a couple of drunken women engaged 
in singing in a maudlin way, while a man too drunk 
to stand was attempting to join in the song. But 
enough has been said to indicate the character of the 
village. Land was not worth receiving as a gift for 
building purposes. Respectable people refused to 
go there and work in the large factory while others 
who had children were moving away in deference to 
the welfare of their offspring. 

Temperance meetings had been held there, and 
made temporary progress and amendment among 
quite a number; but in a few weeks generally and 
in a few months, invariably, the undertaking came 
to naught, and, discouraged, the place fell back to 
a little lower grade than before. An amusement 


354 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES, 


room, more especially for the youth, was inaugurated 
and did some temporary good. Then a public 
library was tried, but even that failed. 

In fact, every endeavor seemed more conspicuous 
for its utter failure than for any other characteristic 
of its history. Every one, seemingly cleansed, in a 
few ^eeks would return to his old ways almost in- 
variably taking in seven other evil spirits, more 
wicked than the original uncleanness, and the last 
state of the man was worse than the first. At the 
first trial of wind and storm and flood, the edifice of 
good intentions fell and was swept from its sandy 
foundation. There was no foundation rock to sus- 
tain the framework of manhood, much less to uphold 
a half-completed edifice of character. 

Well-meaning people had tried everything save 
Christianity. Like the invalid, who had been slid- 
ing on the down-grade of health for some time, the 
diseased patient took oceans of medicine but no rem- 
edy for the disease. Or like the sterile field, which 
petitions, without heart or spirit always left in the 
same unproductive state, the place needed the fer- 
tilizing influence of fervent, effectual prayers of the 
righteous, operating upon the soul with such empha- 
sis as to set Christian men and women at work in 
this desert to make it bud and bloom and bear fruit. 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


355 


The writer is not here indulging merely in imagi- 
nation, but has visited the village he describes. 
And the picture painted is not too highly colored. 
Neither shall any descri[)tion of the marvelous 
change, which the gospel wrought, be an exaggera- 
tion. 

The superintendent of the factory had been con- 
sulted, and although not claiming to be a Christian, 
he readily promised his hearty co-operation In the 
efforts to Christianize the people. His influence was 
necessarily considerable, and an audience was speed- 
ily gotten together. It nearly filled the little one- 
story school-house wherein, five days in the week, a 
discouraged lady taught the few children who were 
not at work or did not play truant. 

The Principal opened with a childlike prayer of 
faith, and then announced that after a few remarks 
by himself, his young friend, Jackson Greenfield, 
would speak to them of the things which pertain 
both to their temporal and immortal salvation ; also 
that either the “ boy preacher ” or some other worthy 
Christian would break to them the bread of life each 
succeeding Sunday. 

“ Oh, I did not understand,’’ whispered Hayward. 
‘‘ So you are going to preach yourself to-day?” 


356 FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 

“ No, sir, ’’replied Jackson. “ I hope I shall 
never preach myself, but always the Lord Jesus. 

When our hero arose to speak he discovered that 
his youth was no obstacle to the securing of a hear- 
ing. He had expected that his first attempt would 
be more or less of a failure. But the strange events 
through which he had passed, and in which he had 
been a prominent actor, had been of immense ad- 
vantage. Then the encouragement of such fiiends 
as he possessed had done great things in his behalf. 
But most of all his strong faith in God and his Di- 
vine Master had wrought wonders for him. Not- 
withstanding his earthly advantages, so liable to 
cause one to rely mostly upon one’s own strength, 
our hero seemed to forget himself in his theme and 
the work ho was attempting to accomplish through 
the help of One who would be with him even unto 
the end of the world. 

He began t I am determined to know nothing 
among you save Jesus Christ and him ciucified. 

The speaker was a good story-teller, and in preach- 
ing he simply told The Old, Old Story. 

Before the meeting closed, the mill superintend- 
ent, John Steadman, announced that the next Sun- 
day there would be an organ and an organist, which 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


357 


last was none other than Miriam Thresher, the dis- 
couraged teacher. The first two names on the roll 
of church members are John Steadman and Miriam 
Thresher. “We have learned by successive fail- 
ures,” said Steadman, “that there is no substitute 
for Christianity if we would elevate mankind.” 

Accompanied by Hayward our hero preached Sun- 
day after Sunday at Swampton. There were con- 
verts almost from the first. In a few weeks no one 
would have thought of fighting roosters, firing at a 
mark from the main street, or doing any other dis- 
reputable thing unless he skulked away from pub- 
lic gaze. By and by a drunken man reeling through 
the streets was rare while an intoxicated woman was 
seldom heard of. 

The village furnished not ‘one-quarter of the pau- 
pers it used to to send to the almshouse, while nine- 
tenths of the criminals seemed to have vanished. 
Real estate not only quadrupled in price but in in- 
trinsic value. The name of the place was changed 
from Swampton to Union Village, suggested by the 
spirit of union instead of division, which used to 
possess the peoples’ heart. 

The laborers dressed better, had better food and 
in larger quantities. A few began putting money in 


358 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


the savings bank, and their example was followed by 
many others. Some began to talk about purchasing 
house lots on which to build cottages by and by. 

An inexpensive but attractive Union Chapel was 
erected within a few rods of the railroad depot. The 
station agent, or depot-master, as he was called, was 
the first superintendent of the Sunday-school, which 
was organized soon after the starting of the mission. 
About eighteen months after the erection of the 
chapel the writer spent two days, including Sunday, 
at Union Village. Said the station ao:ent : 

o o 

“It would take a keen observer to recognize Union 
Village as the Swampton of less than two years ago.” 
He was still enthusiastic ; in fact, as he declared, 
his interest and enthusiasm had rather increased. 
He consumed an hour in his description of a small 
portion of the miraculous blessings which Christian- 
ity had brought to the seemingly doomed commu- 
nity. The population had increased from three 
hundred to five hundred, and, with few exceptions, 
the people were sober, industrious, law-abiding, 
prosperous and happy. The vast difference be- 
tween the former untidy appearance of the inhabi- 
tants, with the prevalence of filth, and the later 
taste and cleanliness was marked at sight. Cleanli- 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


359 


ness is not merely next to godliness but an important 
part of that quality which “ hath promise of the life 
that now is and of that which is to come.” 

In addressing the church members and those who 
were considering the question of joining, Jackson 
said, “ Do not be tempted to waver because of cases 
where not only the gospel but all means seem to 
fail. You know what onr holy religion has done for 
this community. It is the sunshine which beams 
from the Sun of Righteousness. It lifts and glad- 
dens every heart it touches. It blesses when all 
other means fail. Any attempt to belittle your own 
experience is simply an attempt to rule out a wit- 
ness because he has a knowledge of the facts. Ye 
are witnesses of the Master. Never allow the 
brow-beating attorneys of scepticism to vitiate your 
testimony.” 

<‘Iam surprised,” said Hayward, “ at the blind 
gullibility of tfiat unbelief which credits and admires 
almost every whim, but scouts Christianity. No 
need of a God ; for Nature is all-sufficient. Or in 
other words, No need' of the sun daring the day when 
it is li^ht enou^^h.” 

There were despairing widows whom the gospel 
filled with trust ; and where weakness had been. 


360 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


strength came. There were forlorn orphans, lacking 
in everything save the things which hurt : but faith- 
ful Christians interested themselves in their welfare, 
and smiles took the place of frowns caused by 
wretchedness. 

It is affirmed that in Christian New England there 
are more joyous smiles and laughter in one day than 
in all heathendom in a year. If an exaggeration, 
this statement has very much substantial foundation 
in fact. 

There were hopeless invalids in Union Village, 
some of whom, thanks to the gospel, were hopeless 
no longer. There were beastly, brutal men, whose 
hearts were a living hell ; heaven came to them 
through the baptism of the Holy Spirit : and these 
men became kind fathers, and providing husbands 
and helpful, exemplary citizens. 

And so the grand and glorious work went on. — 
A revival of righteousness which for years shall not 
fail to silence scoffers, cynics, sophists and quibblers. 

Jackson’s friends from Ardenville came to see 
the marvellous work wrought in Union Village, and 
they returned to say that the half had not been told. 
It was not great talent which accomplished the 
work. But great faith, consecration and goodness 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


361 


had received the signal blessing from One who adds 
the compound interest of grace to his full payment 
for faithfulness. 

Occasionally a party of seminary ‘‘ boys” would 
walk or ride over to the mission station and help in 
a prayer and conference meeting; but in a few 
months they were needed mostly as encouraging 
auditors, except when an unselfish, devoted student 
supplied the pulpit. 

Atheists, infidels, sceptics and pessimists were 
compelled to acknowledge the vast improvement in 
the status of the people. Nevertheless, when the 
glorious contrast, between the present and former 
years, grows dim by time and through worldly eyes, 
and the short-sighted shall be ready to cast down 
the heavenly ladders by which the people climbed 
to prosperity (just as, in the eyes of many, Jacob’s 
ladder has been removed, while the heavens have 
receded and become simply astronomical) ; then 
there shall creep in mere visionaries who will talk 
pompously about leaning upon some phosphorescent 
ambiguity, of enthroning reason ( ?) and doing away 
with bigotry and superstition. And these imprac- 
ticables will extol some oft-exploded humbug. 
And some gullible souls, seeking moral and spiritual 


362 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


narcotics, or searching for peace and joy outside of 
strivings after God, will listen and feed on aes- 
thetics until shadows, phantoms, spectres of the 
Brocken and hallucinations shall seem as real as the 
Will o’ the wisp to the man lost in a swamp. 

Then some rum-holes will be opened, once more, 
by drunkard-manufacturers who say that the world 
owes them a living, but neglect to add, “within 
some prison.” And their supporters will talk glibly 
about the judicious use of “ the good things of God,” 
meaning slops and swill miscalled beer, or intoxi- 
cants which steal away brains and convert fathers 
and husbands into brutes. 

But these blind guides, laden with cobweb tackle, 
canned moonshine and merchandise which “at the 
last biteth like a serpent and stingeth like an adder,” 
shall not prevail. For faithful souls, armed by faith 
arid winged by prayer, shall preach Jesus, and there 
shall follow spiritual edification and the people 
shall be built up in temporal and eternal blessings 
which make the soul rich indeed. Aye, the good 
work shall go on and on until the predicted time 
shall come when “ the kingdoms of this world shall 
become the kingdoms of the Lord and his Christ,” 
‘ ‘ and the knowledge of the Lord shall cover the 
earth as the waters cover the sea.” 


CHAPTER XLIII. 

A NEW ARRIVAL. 

Through the influence of Jackson, Hayward de- 
cided to go through the course of study, instead of 
leaving the seminary at the end of the term. Soon 
after he came to this decision his childless, wealthy 
uncle visited the seminary, and being informed of 
the enviable position his nephew had gained, he 
promised to pay his expenses through college. But 
in his prosperity Hayward did not forget the kind- 
ness of Jackson during a period when he sorely 
needed help and encouragement. 

Occasionally Mr. and Mrs. Woodbury, Arden and 
Julia, and even ’Squire Benson and his good wife, 
came to see the great work which, through God’s 
help, Jackson had wrought in Union Village and 
among the seminary students. 

By and by Mrs. Bright not only gladly allowed 
Maud to take Ella on a visit to the seat of learning, 
but accompanied them. It is useless, however, to 
attempt to portray the pride and joy of Jackson as 

he introduced his guardian angel to the professors, 
, 363 


364 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


including of course his warmest friend the Principal. 
And when Hayward saw her he no longer wondered 
at her heavenly influence over Jackson. Near the 
end of his two years at the seminary, Maud and 
Ella came one morning, remaining several hours, 
and Jackson marked, for the first time, that the 
former was but a mere trifle taller than the latter, 
who was rapidly shooting up into womanhood, al- 
though her lovely, intelligent face bore the same 
lovely expression of innocent loving trustfulness. 

Jackson suspected that her graceful manners, 
clear tone of voice, self-poise in the presence of 
others, growing intelligence and proficiency in hei* 
studies, were very largely due to the influence of 
Maud. But when he questioned his guardian angel, 
she replied : — 

“ No, Jack,” — she always called him Jack in pri- 
vate — “you are quite mistaken. lvalue beyond 
words Mrs. Woodbury’s friendship and her kind 
assistance always given as I need it. But whenever 
I think that you look upon me as your guardian 
angel and consider what wonders you have achieved, 
I am not merely proud of you, but realize that I 
ought to fit myself to become the companion and 
the helpmeet of such a noble .specimen of manhood. 


rORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


365 


There, Jack, was not that nicely worded for a girl 
like me so recently petted and babied by all the vil- 
lage, using aint and drefful good ? ” And the speaker 
laughed merrily. “ But I knew you would inquire 
regarding my progress, and I had my little speech 
almost ready. 

“ How happy I ought to be to possess such a host 
of friends, but above all, how thankful that the 
Lord sent you.” 

But, Jack, how could we possibly be happy 
unless we were thankful ? ” 

“We could not, Ella. But sometimes I fear you 
may imagine that your childish faults of grammar 
were defects. Not so. It was just the prattle I 
needed. Coming from so much purity it was some- 
thing far higher than any classic. It was the speech 
of heaven to me, and the sacred remembrance of 
our old intimacy will be as the companionship of an 
angel. Never mind, Ella, how years may roll 
away, or how our hairs may become grey, remem- 
ber that while life shall last you are my guardian 
angel. And who knows that when we shall cross to 
the land of realities, beside which this earth shall 
appear as a shadow, when marshalled upon the other 
shore, with loud hallelujahs and songs of redemp- 


366 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


tion fiom sin, when under the Captain of our salva- 
tion we shall march beneath the great triumphal 
archway into the realms of purity, bliss and glory, 
and surround the great white throne — who knows 
that even then you shall not still remain my guard- 
ian angel?” 

For several weeks Jackson had been so busy with 
his studies, his other duties at the seminary, and his 
work in Union Village, that the usual visits to Ar- 
denville had been omitted. But the letters from 
home were not wanting. A long one from Mr. 
Woodbury concluded as follows : 

‘‘And now, my dear young friend, I must tell 
you about the arrival at our home of a stranger, 
who came one evening about two weeks ago. The 
night seemed to color his eyes a deep black ; yet 
they caught some of the light of the brightest stars. 
The wind must have been very strong, for it made 
such havoc with his hair that there is very little left. 
His limbs are so weak that he cannot walk a step, 
and he does not seem to understand a word of Eng- 
lish. He has taken an almost unaccountable liking 
for Maud, and she thinks him the most wonderful 
person in all Ardenville. Whenever I approach 
them she tells me what a large number of quite 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


367 


marvelous things he does. He is really very remark- 
able. He has no teeth, and he puckers up his mouth, 
squints and blinks, and shakes both fists at me. 
But I have taken no offence at his fighting attitude, 
and he seems to bear no enmity against me. 

“ Maud’s perceptive faculties must be exceedingly 
keen, for she is continually marking striking resem- 
blances between the stranger and myself, which no 
other person has noticed. Ella came in, took him 
in her lap, and asked if we were going to call him . 
Jack. I was sorry, for the moment, to tell her that 
Maud called him Bennie for ’Squire Benson. Ben- 
jamin Benson Woodbury, or little Bennie, as we 
call him, is a healthy babe and will be a bouncing 
boy almost before we know it. His mother is sit- 
ting in an easy chair, holding him. He looks very 
wise as she talks to him about his footsy-tootsys. 
He claims so much of her time, which she gladly ac- 
cords him, that I am almost inclined to become jeal- 
ous of him. But when I look in the mother’s face 
and mark how much joy she extracts from the fact 
of having such a wonderful child, all my jealousy 
vanishes and I take the little fellow in my arms and 
try to make friends with him. At first, however, 
Maud was concerned lest I might let him drop, but 


368 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


I am getting quite used to him and learning very 
rapidly how to hold him without endangering his 
limbs. 

We have had numerous visits from many families, 
mostly women and girls. Ella was rather disap- 
pointed regarding the name, but she is all forgive- 
ness, you know, and calls, generally, twice each 
day, to sit with Maud and hold Bennie. It is sin- 
gular how Ella took baby up the first time as though 
she had been used to the business for years. 

“ I was about to end this long epistle, when I 
caught sight of Julia who just entered; and as I 
looked at the faithful lady’s bright eyes and the glad 
expression of her handsome face, I said to myself, 
‘Faith, one of the three graces.’ Then I glanced at 
my lovely Maud and added, ‘ Hope.’ Just at that 
moment Ella came and I concluded with ‘ Charity.’ 

“ Speaking of the three ladies reminds me of 
something inevitable : Ella will become a trifle 
taller than either of the other two. She is just about 
their height now. What a model pastors wife she 
will make. Everybody will love her at first sight, 
and as she will never lose a friend, what a host she 
will have. Mr. and Mrs. Arden are to pay you a 
visit in a few days, accompanied by Ella of course. 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


369 


But I will stop awhile ; for Maud’s Sunday- 
school class have just come in to see their teacher 
and the baby. 

Fraternally yours, 

George Woodbury. 

S. Did I ever speak to you regarding the 
object of God in instituting the order of mother- 
hood? It is to produce love. The babe soon real- 
izes the love of the mother, and loves mother be- 
cause mother first loved baby. Then baby begins 
to love others. Mother lays up treasure in baby, 
and, therefore, as time passes, the child becomes still 
dearer, and baby’s love is developed until the child 
becomes capable of loving God. Mothers are more 
humble, patient, tender, kind and loving than men; 
therefore God makes it natural for mothers to have 
charge of children. But I close by asking. Can you 
conceive of a wiser plan ? one that would more effi- 
ciently prepare us to comprehend and fulfill the law 
of love to God and man ? one that could produce so 
much thankfulness, goodness, happiness, and pre- 
pare us to appreciate the blessings of the gospel, the 
sacrifices of our Saviour and the joy of heaven? 

G. W.^’ 


CHAPTER XLIV. 


MARTIN HAYWARD. 

‘‘Hayward,” said Jackson, looking up from his 
lesson, which he had finally succeeded in making so 
plain that he experienced a thrill of delight as he 
thought how satisfactory it would make the next 
day’s study, and how it was so engraven upon his 
memory and understanding that he would never for- 
get it — “ Hayward, why not take your stand before 
the world instead of partially to a few friends? A 
brave, definite attitude would not only strengthen 
yourself, but prove a boon to mankind.” 

“ I fear I am not prepared.” 

“ Want to be cleaner before you wash, eat before 
coming to the table, take a nap before going to 
sleep.” Jackson laughed good-naturedly, “ Wish 
to be perfect before joining the church, thoroughly 
well before calling in the Great Physician.” 

“ Go right on,” said Hayward, with a pleased look. 
“ Well, the fact is, I feel thankful for the Christian 
religion ; but there is a fellow up near our farm who 

used to trip in evening after evening, just buzz in 
370 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


371 


like a lively wasp and sting us all with doubts. 
Used to read infidel lectures. Oh, you know how it 
was.” 

“ Had he been a Christian who dropped in upon 
you and talked gospel instead of infidelity, you 
would have called him — ” 

“A fiinatic as sure as I live,” added Hayward, as 
Jackson hesitated that his room-mate might finish 
the sentence. ‘‘But being an infidel he was level- 
headed.” 

“Of course, Hayward. Well, he told you that 
he looked at the Bible and religion in a sensible, 
reasonable manner.” 

“Hit him exactly. Never thought of it before ; 
but he carried the idea that his way was the only 
reasonable way ; Christians never used common 
sense.” 

“ Very modest indeed I ” 

“ Modest? He was a complete brass foundry. I 
can almost hear him now. use reason. I view 
these things in a sensible way. Christians never 
stop to think, but swallow things without investiga- 
tion. I hate to see fanatics going round reading 

o o o 

tracts and sermons.’ Then this personification of 
infallibility and consistency, without a blush, would 


372 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


pass US some infidel tracts and read one of Inger- 
soll’s sermons — lectures I mean. Awful modest 
was our neighbor. Never read the Bible through, 
much less studied it. But what he couldn’t tell you 
about its errors and blunders is hardly worth nam- 
ing.” 

‘‘If there is one thing in which some infidels ex- 
cel, it is in pointing out the errors of a book they 
either never read or never studied and investigated. 
This remarkable gift resembles boarding-house but- 
ter — it is really a strong point.” 

“ But he did state some things that stagger me 
yet. Abraham’s sacrificing Isaac, and the Israelites 
going into Palestine and driving out or slaying the 
innocent inhabitants.” 

“Abraham never sacrificed Isaac. God forbade 
him. The grand old patriarch offered to do so pro- 
vided God required the oblation. But God refused 
the human sacrifice. Jehovah, through an angel, 
commanded Abraham not to harm his son, and to 
emphasize his condemnation of the heathen rite of 
human sacrifices, provided a sheep. In direct vio- 
lation of God’s command to Abraham, Freeman, of 
Pocasset, slew his child. Then our own Christian 
law interfered. Too bad Christians are so narrow 
and bigoted.” And Jackson smiled. 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES, 


373 


Hayward laughed, saying, ‘‘ Yes, so bigoted that 
they even meddle with the Brahmans who used to 
marry children seven or eight years old to use them 
as slaves. Bead about it long ago. The British 
forbade marriages under twelve. Christian fanatics 
have also prevented those poor, harmless, perse- 
cuted Brahmanites from burning widows. Oh, I do 
appreciate some Christian blessings.*’ 

‘‘The fact is, Hayward, Christians lack the scep- 
tical breadth of thought. They even see beauty 
in the story of Abraham ; a grand and glorious ob- 
ject lesson, teaching Jews to abstain forever from 
the heathen rite of human sacrifices. But the inno- 
cent and inoffensive Canaanites made their children 
pass through the fire to Moloch, roasted them in 
the seventh apartment of that idol, and beat drums 
to drown their cries. But Joshua was so prejudiced, 
so bigoted, that he interfered with these little inno- 
cent heathen customs. What the narrow-minded 
commander needed was sceptical enlargement of 
mind. For the Canaanites were ju't turtle doves 
in the eyes of sceptics. To be sure, Hayward, 
should such heathen settle near our borders and 
commence the harmless religious amusement of 
roasting children, I suppose we bigoted Christians 


374 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


would hang them or drive them from the land. But 
what we need is that broad sceptical spirit of tolera- 
tion which the mere roasting of children would fail 
to disturb.” 

“ What motherly love ! The Canaanites seemed 
to be about as mild and tender as gorillas.” 

“Well, in some respects, Hayward. Gorilla 
mothers, however, will sacrifice their lives in de- 
fense of their young. But Canaanite mothers 
brought their children to be roasted alive. So gen- 
tle ! So aflfectionate ! If any one has crocodile 
tears to shed let them flow as they read of the cruel 
Israelites and lamblike Canaanites.” 

“ But how about the death penalty for idolatry ? ” 

“ Well, we shot thousands of men in arms against 
us, because the existence of the Union depended 
upon putting down rebellion. Idolatry was a far 
worse treason and the life of the Jewish nation de- 
pended upon its being iDoted out. If there is one 
God-given right, it is the right of self-preservation, 
and Israel used the divine privilege. But because 
the severe law was executed by Israelites instead of 
the heathen, of course it was bigotry, just as it is 
narrow-minded for Christian America to oppose 
Mormonism by law ; and this bigotry, simply be- 


FORTUIS'ES AND MISFORTUNES. 


375 


cause the Mormon religion teaches a plurality of 
wives. What Christian intolerance ! ” 

“ Nevertheless, Solomon had a host of wives.” 

“Certainly, Hayward. But you know he aban- 
doned his religious bigotry, and became so scepti- 
cally broadened that he could attend service at the 
Temple and then go to the house of one of his wives’ 
idols. He was so tolerant ! The fact is, Hayward, 
when he got over his religious bigotry, he became a 
model king for all the votaries of folly and unclean- 
ness. Every man should read that life begun so 
grandly by devotion to Jehovah, yet ending so dis- 
mally in the wretchedness of scepticism. But he 
was so broad in his views of religious, social and 
domestic life that no consistent infidel can withhold 
admiration.” 

Hayward laughed, saying: “But how about the 
great miracle of the New Testament?” 

“Ah, yes, the sinless life of Christ ! It was the 
miracle of miracles. ‘ Tempted in all points like 
as we are, yet without sin.’ It was a miracle dur- 
ing every hour, every minute of his life. Beside it 
all other miracles pale.” 

“ Why, that is so, surely. But I referred to the 
miraculous birth. Yet, accepting the miracle of 


376 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES, 


miracles and then refusing the lesser ones, on the 
ground of unnaturalness, seems like straining at a 
gnat and swallowing a camel.” 

“ Just so, Hayward. Let us be consistent. Now, 
if our Saviour was not Divine ; if his birth was not 
miraculous ; if He was merely an ordinary man like 
you and me, how do you account for his divine, 
sinless, perfect life?” 

‘‘I cannot account for it ! ” exclaimed Hayward: 
‘‘ therefore I must either give up his sinless, perfect 
life, or grant his divinity and his miraculous birth. 
Seems plain as daylight now.” 

‘‘ But to come to the point, Hayward, you know 
that no man, woman or child can possibly be truly 
good or truly happy without being thankful and 
manifesting thankfulness. Come now, Hayward — 
for nori? is the accepted time — will you manifest 
your thankfulness? Take a brave stand. Be cour- 
ageously good and happy.” 

“‘Almost thou persuadest me.’ But — let us 
see — one more query. Why does not God allow 
us to save ourselves ? ” 

“ Why, Hayward, I am astonished at such a 
question. Why, instead of sailing over, do we not 
jump across the Atlantic and back? No law against 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


377 


it, you know. Why do we cross our bridges in- 
stead of leaping the rivers ? ’’ 

‘‘Because we cannot jump oceans and rivers. 
Therefore vessels and bridges are absolutely neces- 
sary if we would cross.’’ 

“ Neither can we save ourselves. No law against 
it save the law of impossibility. Therefore ponder 
the fact, ponder it well : there is no salvation except 
through Christ. God, knowing this, sent him. 
What infinite love ! What boundless grace ! Do 
you suppose that God’s Only Begotten Son would 
have left the glories of heaven, or lived all self- 
denying for mankind, sacrificed his earthly ease, 
given his life for us, merely as an ornamental tab- 
leau ? God forbid ! There was an absolute neces- 
sity for it. He did not sweat, as it were, great 
drops of blood simply for an unnecessary whim, nor 
endure the agony of the cross as a spectacular exhi- 
bition. He endured all this, the just for the unjust, 
that he might lead us to God. He says, ‘ I am the 
way, the truth and the life.’ ‘ No man cometh to 
the Father except by me.’ ‘ I am the door.’ 

“ Come, be wise. Wisdom consists in willingly 
and thankfully making use of the means and ability 
we possess, in blessing others by making them good 


378 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


and happy. And I repeat it : No man, woman or 
child can ever be good or happy without being 
thankful. Will you be courageously thankful?” 

At this moment the conversation was interrupted 
by the knock and entrance of a fellow student, say- 
ing, ‘‘ It is time for class recitation. Hurry ! ” 

All the rest of the week and even on Sunday morn- 
ing Hayward seemed to be thinking, thinking. 
Jackson did not judge it the best way to make any 
further appeal; nevertheless, he asked, 

“ Will you accompany me to Union Village?” 

“I would like to very much.” And the matter 
was settled. 

Half the distance was traversed when Hayward 
remarked, ‘‘A good deal is said about taking rum 
and missionaries to heathen lands.” 

“And there ought to be,” replied Jackson. “Es- 
pecially do Christians denounce the rum. But would 
sceptics prefer to send cargoes of rum and omit the 
missionaries who would partially, at least, counteract 
the intoxicant?’’ 

“ I did not think of that?” 

“Think then, Hayward, think, study, search; 
for the unthoughtful, the heedless are as sure of 
being embraced by scepticism as the uatilled soil to 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES, 


379 


produce weeds. And the richer the soil the heavier 
the crop of weeds. But some soils are too rocky 
to grow anything.” 

“ Do you mean to say that infidelity and atheism 
are caused by lack of thought ? ” 

“Yes, Hayward; lack of thoughtfulness, of 
thoughtful research, thoughtful investigation which 
would lead ninety-nine in every hundred to test 
Christianity, especially the power of prayer. Did 
you ever know of any person being converted until 
he paused in his heedless ness and began seriously to 
think ? I do not say that every sceptic is heedless ; 
but as a rule it is heedless infidelity, but thoughtful, 
prayerful Christianity.” 

“I see the point,” replied Hayward, “ and I also 
see an apt illustration of the efi*ect of sending rum 
without the missionary. Any one who knows the 
history of Union Village can understand just how 
such a plan will work.” 

“And were you to enlist on the side of the mis- 
sionary, rum would have another obstacle in its 
path. God does not require that you should be rich 
or powerful ; but, ‘ My son, give me thy heart.’ 
The millionaire and the pauper, the learned and the 
ignorant can fulfill the whole requirement.” 


380 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


The couple were in sight of Union Village when 
Jackson broke in upon a long pause by singing. 
He had learned from jMr. Woodbury the art of elo- 
cution in singing. And Hayward lost not a word of 
the following, sung to the tune of Cleansing F aun- 
tain : — 


THE KINGDOM OF OUR GOD IS HERE. 
“ The kingdom of God is within you.” — Luke xvii : 21. 

1. The kingdom of our God is here, 

Within our hearts to reign, 

To free from error, doubt and fear, 

And all our souls unchain. 

2. Jerusalem, the city bright. 

Is with us here to-day ; 

Oh, dwell within its golden light, 

And own its heavenly sway. 

3. Its pearly gates are open, wide; 

Oh, enter now the fold I 
Your heavy burdens cast aside. 

And walk the streets of gold. 


Arriving at the Union Chapel Jackson found the 
praise service just opening with the followirg hymn, 
to the tune of Morninerton : — 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


381 


ASSEMBLED IN THY NAME. 

•* This is the gate of heaven.”— Gen. xxviii : 17. 

1 . Assembled in tliy name, 

Be with us, Lord, to-day, 

And let this be our hallowed aim, 

To learn thy holy way. 

2. O Lord, display thy power, 

The heart’s pure prayer fulfill ; 

And in this sweet and sacred hour 
Incline us to thy will. 

8. In every path we tread 

Be Thou our rock and stay; 

By thine own hand may we be led, 

And never from thee stray. 

4. So shall our lives abound 
In deeds of purest love. 

And in our hearts sweet peace be found 
Like thine own peace above. 


It seemed to Hayward that both hymns were in- 
tended especially for him ; and to the day of his 
death he never forgot Jackson’s sermon ; yet he 
never could recall one-quarter of it. The speaker 
called the attention of the audience to the glory of 
following Moses, Joshua, David, Joab, Leonidas, 
Gustavus Adolphus, Cromwell, Washington, Sheri- 
dan, Sherman and Grant. 


382 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


Yet,” continued the speaker, “ who shall com- 
pare these honors with the immortal glory of fight- 
ing under the leadership of the Great Captain of 
our salvation, a Commaiider-in-Chief whose final 
victory shall be the song of the redeemed and the 
wonder of eternity ? Other great generals shall all 
pass away and their fame grow dim, but this pre- 
eminent Commander is with us even unto the end of 
the world. His star of empire shall never set, nor 
his grandeur fade. And I would that some man 
within this room would rise in his place, raise his 
right hand, and ask to be enrolled among the fol- 
lowers of the Prince of Peace.” 

Here the speaker paused, for although the sermon 
was not yet finished, Hayward arose, raised his 
right hand, and said in a firm voice, but with bowed 
head, “ Enroll me.” 

“Hosanna in the highest!” exclaimed Jackson. 
“ Another loyal soldier enlisted to march under the 
white banner of the cross and fight for the victor 
fla^ of the Kin^ of Kinofs and Lord of Lords.” 

o o o 

Hitherto the services had all been conducted with 
little or no outward excitement although there had 
been, from the first a deep, strong undercurrent of 
religious feeling. Yet to-day there was a genuine 
excitement, and a healthy one. 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


383 


Hayward had hardly resumed his seat before a 
lady of about fifty years of age, whom all loved for 
her charity, arose and held up her hand. 

‘‘ Praise the Lord ! ” said Jackson, our village 
Dorcas is not only with us, but enrolled among the 
dausfhters of the Kino:.” 

o o 

Several more had arisen when an old colored lady 
shouted, in characteristic manner, “ Halleluj ih ! 
Glory to God ! ’’ 

‘‘ Hallelujah ! ” responded Jackson. ‘‘ Jew, Gen- 
tile, bond and free are welcomed by the King.” 

It was a great day for the Mission when Martin 
Hayward and the village Dorcas took a public stand. 
To their great surprise they soon learned that they 
had stood in the way of several who now asked for 
admission to the church, while these drew in still 
more. Quite a number were added to the church 
rolls, and both temporal and spiritual prosperity 
seemed assured to an extent that would soon war- 
rant the settlement of a pastor in connection with 
another mission, to be formally inaugurated in a few 
months, or perhaps in a few weeks. 


CHAPTER XLV. 


ADVANCING. 

But time and space would fail to tell of the many 
good results of the unselfish labors of our hero and 
his friends, while any detailed account of their work 
and the numerous interesting incidents, in connec- 
tion with these labors and results, would fill vol- 
umes. 

Jackson and Hayward finished their preparatory 
studies with great credit to themselves and entered 
college, in which institution they soon achieved hon- 
orable distinction by the conscientious discharge of 
their duties. The friendship and interest in their 
future, exhibited by the Principal while at the sem- 
inary, accompanied the two freshmen, blessing both 
from first to last. 

On their way to the college they fell in with a 
sophomore of another noted university who remarked 
that he had understood they were to enter the col- 
lege through which he was passing. 

‘‘ AV^e are not infatuated with the benign institu- 
tion of liaze^^^ replied Hayward. 

384 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


385 


“Oh, you should not mind a little sport,” re- 
plied the sophomore. 

“I don’t. I sympathize with hazers,” responded 
Hayward. “But the fact is Greenfield’s friends 
objected, and so we gave up that seat of learning.” 

“ What was their objection?” 

“ Well, nothing in particular only one of Green- 
field’s friends, then very poor, prepared for the min- 
istry at your institution ; and it cost him more for 
his club and other fees, to keep in with the sopho- 
mores and others, than for all his other expenses. 
It took him years to pay the debt incurred to keep 
from being hazed.” 

“ I guess he stretched that.” 

“Yes; stretched his debt to keep his college 
chums from hazing him. I guess you understand it. 
One of his college chums, who refused to submit 
either to hazing or extortion, was obliged to quit 
college with his whole nervous system prostrated. 
Good enough for him, however. He ought to have 
stretched the debt.” 

“ I don’t believe such Munchausen tales of duck- 
ing, shaving whiskers, burning with caustic, carry- 
ing freshmen into the woods at night and leaving 
them there.” 


386 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


‘‘That may be, my friend,” replied Hayward; 
“ but I advise you not to make that statement too 
publicly or you will rest under suspicion as a partic- 
ipator.” 

“Do you mean to accuse me, sir?” retorted the 
sophomore. 

“ I have not ; but you have put on the coat. L 
shall never forget my good father’s instruction. 
Said he, ‘ Martin, you are naturally sensitive. Let 
me warn you never to allow yourself to rest under 
suspicion by putting on other people’s clothes, espec- 
ially a coat which does not fit you.’ ‘ But suppose 
the coat fits?’ Tasked. ‘In such cases,’ he replied, 

‘ confession is always in order.’” 

“I wish you would make those remarks in the 
presence of our other sophomores,” retorted the 
sophomore, savagely. 

“ Who was it who said, ‘If wishes were horses,’ 
etc. ? Fact is, however, I sympathize with any soft- 
skulled college student who, unchecked by either 
conscience or brains, bubbles over in hazing antics. 
A dozen soft-pated seniors or sophomores tackle 
from one to four freshmen and haze them. Not a 
particle of courage or brains at all necessary ; in 
fact, if they had either of these qualities, they 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


387 


would try to excel in some respectable sport or un- 
dertaking. But, unfortunately for these hazers, 
common sense, brain power, decency, bravery, and 
a little self-respect are required in any honorable 
sport or pursuit, Nnw, as hazers possess neither of 
these qualities, who shall blame them for endeavor- 
ing to excel in hazing where no qualifications are re- 
quired save cowardly hearts bereft of pity, thick 
skulls with soft places at the apex ? Sheep may ob- 
ject to the trend of the playful wolf, and juniors 
may object to the sportive, craven hazer; but some 
people would be dissatisfied were they to be hung. 
Yes, I sympathize with hazers ; fit for nothing re- 
spectable, let the white-feathered fowls, of such 
foul reputation, spread themselves.” 

After the sophomore departed, Jackson asked 
Hayward why he had entered into the discussion on 
hazing. 

“ Because,” replied Hayward, I happen to 
know that our travelling companion is one of the 
worst hazers in his college. I thought I might 
lodge one idea of decency in his hazy brain.” 

Jackson still had charge of the Union Village 
mission. Hayward frequently accompanied him, 
but it was not until they were nearly ready to bid 


388 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES, 


adieu to their Alma Mater that the newer convert 
consented to supply the pulpit. He was not only a 
firm believer, but a conscientious laborer in the vine- 
yard; furthermore, he was a good speaker; in fact, 
a more attractive one, for a short period, than our 
hero, being more forcible, although there were 
times in speaking when Jackson rose to an altitude 
to which Hayward could not attain. But the reason 
for the latter’s declining to preach was his fear that 
he might become angry at college if not at the mis- 
sion station, and destroy more good than he could 
accomplish. 

“ If I could speak like you,” commented Hay- 
ward, “ how happy, how thankful I should be.” 

“ Be yourself, be yourself,” replied Jackson. 

“As the prisoner said when the man asked how he 
could live in jail, ‘ Why, I have to live here.’ 
And,” continued Hayward, “ I am obliged to be 
myself. But I need your self-poise.” 

“If it will do you any good, and I doubt not it 
will, I will give you the advice which I received 
from Rev. Mr. Woodbury who never fails to speak 
effectively and impress his audience during his ser- 
mon, be it written or impromptu. First of all, for 
ten or twenty minutes every day practice speaking 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


389 


to yourself or aloud upon various texts of Scripture 
or on various subjects. This gives you a ready com- 
mand of language. Second, in or out of the pulpit, 
always commence and continue slowly until you ob- 
tain command of yourself and your subject. This 
gives you self-poise. Third, forget self, and preach 
Jesus. Fourth, make it a rule, as in studying, to 
'prepare yourself for the occasion. Nevertheless, by 
an adherence to the three first rules, you will sel- 
dom fail to do well with five minutes preparation.’^ 

By the time Jackson entered the divinity school 
he had made his mark as an effective speaker, and 
ofttimes he pondered the question of whether he could 
become the most useful as an evangelist, travelling 
from place to place, stopping in some localities for 
weeks, or to settle in some parish. 

Ella., now a woman, more lovely and attractive 
than ever, was still our hero’s guardian angel, and 
still loving and beloved by all who knew her. 

Now, Jack,” she would say, “ do not allow any 
consideration for my welfare to influence your decis- 
ion one particle. All I ask is that after our marriage 
I may be allowed to accompany you. If I am to be 
your guardian angel, I ought to be at hand to aid 
you. We could not help wishing to see our Arden- 


390 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


ville people; bat I am sure, Jack, we should never 
feel lonely or become homesick.” 

But while Jackson was patiently waiting, giving 
himself no undue anxiety, in the providence of God 
events shaped themselves. 

Hayward not only took charge of the Union Vil- 
lage mission and another nearly three miles dis- 
tant, but he also entered the divinity school with 
his contidential adviser, Jackson. Hayward’s tem- 
per, although not wholly overcome, was wonder- 
fully softened. 

Now John Ernest, the pastor at Ardenville, was 
a good preacher but a far better professor. He had 
been a professor at an academy several years before 
settling in his present pastorate. While our hero 
was in the divinity school Rev. John Ernest was 
called to a professorship which he accepted. 

Rev. Mr. Woodbury took charge of the Arden- 
ville church pulpit at once ; for the people refused 
to consider any one else. In fact, Mr. Woodbury 
was now in charge of both pulpits — the one at Ar- 
denville and the one at Mill Village, where he had 
succeeded in establishing a flourishing church; not, 
however, without the efficient aid of many friends, 
including Maud as his chief helper, and who had 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


391 


endeared herself to the whole parish; nevertheless, 
she was no less loved and honored by the church in 
Ardenville. The two villages were only a little over 
two miles apart. 

Mr. Woodbury supplied both pulpits less than 
two months when he made an appeal to Jackson to 
take charge of the Mill Village parish pulpit, which 
appeal, seconded by Maud, was so effective that our 
divinity student accepted the position at once. 

Ever since the robber incident our hero had been 
a favorite of the Mill Village Manufacturing Cor- 
poration, the owners of which now threw all their in- 
fluence in Jackson’s favor. Unlike Mr. Woodbury 
he failed to carry the peuple with him at once ; but 
his staying qualities were strong, and long before his 
divinity studies were finished, he had become the 
unanimous choice of the church and parish. 

Ella had declined to utter one word to influence 
the decision of her future husband ; but when the 
whole matter had been definitely settled, she did 
not hesitate to express her delight. 

One thing which also tended to make the choice 
of the Mill Village church finally unanimous was 
that Ella frequently accompanied her lover to his 
future parish ; and when the people learned that she 


392 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


was to be the wife of Jackson, especially when they 
became somewhat acquainted with the lovely young 
lady and obtained some idea of the heavenly char- 
acter of their years of intimate friendship, there was 
added to the evident sterling characteristics of the 
young couple an attractive little romance which was 
very interesting, not merely to the young but to peo- 
ple of all ages. 


CHAPTER XLVI. 


CONCLUSION. 

But the thing which made our hero the unan- 
imous choice of those who imparted both temporal 
and spiritual prosperity to the Mill Village parish, 
was his unwavering fidelity to the cause of his Di- 
vine Master. His influence at college and divinity 
school was too marked to be overlooked. As an 
instrument, he not only laid the foundation of Hay- 
ward’s life-long fidelity and usefulness, but he con- 
firmed the wavering students and added new re- 
cruits to the gospel army. 

Instead of practicing the folly of choosing a pas- 
tor by hearsay, or a few candidating sermons, a 
couple of the representative men of the Mill Village 
church visited the seminary, the college, and the 
divinity school, and learned the golden history of 
the sterling life which Jackson had led, and when 
the two men reported, the choice was not merely 
unanimous, but enthusiastic. 

One of the delightful stories told them by Hay- 
ward, and confirmed by one of the college faculty, 

393 


394 FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 

was his conversion of Elginton, a backsliding di- 
vinity student who had become sceptical, and was 
talking Agnosticism. Hayward prevailed upon him 
to call upon Jackson, when the sceptic stated that 
he wished to stand where he could think for himself. 

“ Do you think or study any more than formerly 
asked Jackson.” 

“Well, no,” replied Elginton, “not quite as 
much, for it seems to be a waste of time to study 
such things. Fact was, I thought if the Bible was 
so unreasonable I would not read it at ail. 

“Thought if it was?” retorted Jackson. “Do 
you not really mean that you decided it was un- 
reasonable and then threw it aside?” 

“ Well, yes, that’s about it.” 

“ Would you consider it fair to be treated in that 
manner should some one circulate the story that you 
were an .unreasonable man?” 

“ Well, no, I must say I should not. I did not 
think of that.” 

“ Why not stop awhile and think before slander- 
ing the sacred Scriptures?” 

“ Well, I suppose I ought. But I am told that 
the Bible, as we have it translated, contains thou- 
sands of errors.” 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


395 


‘‘Yes,” replied Jackson, “yet the whole really 
amounts to very little with a sincere student. Who 
discovered these errors of translation, mostly so in- 
significant, however?” 

“ Well, biblical scholars, of course.” 

“Did you ever hear of an infidel or atheist who 
discovered one ? ” 

“Well, no, of course not, for they do not fool 
away valuable time reading so much mere stuflf.” 

“Yes, I see. They prefer to know as little as 
possible regarding subjects they discuss, do they? 
W^ell; it does give greater freedom for the imagina- 
tion. Facts regarding the Bible are such stubborn 

o o 

things for sceptics that they naturally eschew such 
mulish studies.” 

“ Nevertheless, Greenfield, the world needs free 
thought.” 

“Why, my friend,” replied Jackson, “is not 
thought free the world over? Can any despot pre- 
vent free thought? It is the public expression of 
thought which is abridged. Don't you think scep- 
tics mix things a little?” 

“ Well, yes, about that one thing. But coming to 
the Bible declaration, that labor, wdiich all acknowl- 
edge to be a blessing, was put upon man because he 
sinned, is it not absurd?” 


396 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


‘‘A little mixed again,” replied Jackson. ‘‘It 
was thorns and thistles which were added by sin. 
Are not those precisely what vice does bring forth 
in every community? But if you would study the 
Bible, instead of listening to mere theories, you 
would find that the first blessing God conferred 
upon Adam was the labor of tilling the Garden of 
Eden.” 

“ Well, I did not think of that. But how absurd ; 
Adam made of the dust of the earth ! ” 

“Yes, of the earth, earthy. And when analyzed 
we find man composed entirely of things which be- 
long to the earth. I wonder if infidels think men 
were made from comets’ tails instead of being of the 
earth, earthy.” 

“ Well, I did not think of that. Of course we 
must be made of the earth. Yet if some one should 
apparently show you that the Bible was false, would 
you not throw it aside or burn it up ? ” 

“ No, sir, I would not. I might say that a Book 
which has done more than all others for the benefit 
of the world, deserves to be implicitly trusted and 
revered for its works’ sake. I should say that at 
least it deserved years of study and research before 
casting aside. But you cast it aside without even 
reading it carefully through once.” 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


397 


Well, I Avas a little hasty, perhaps ; but what do 
you think of cheating Jacob, instead of good-hearted 
Esau, being the father of God’s chosen people?” 

“ I should say. Give me Jacob. Esau’s posterity 
never have amounted to much while Jacob’s have. 
After Jacob’s conversion, on the night he wrestled 
with the angel, was he not a grand old man? Esau 
might have been a hale fellow well met ; but the 
world needs stability, firm convictions ; and that 
is just what the blessed old patriarch did possess 
after his conversion.” 

“ Well, but you say that we are saved by faith ; 
yet work as if you depended entirely on works. It 
is a contradiction.” 

“That is another infidel mixture. Faith always 
makes its possessor faithful. That is why genuine 
faith saves us from sin. Pretended fiiith is like be- 
holding our faces in a glass and then turning away and 
forgetting what manner of men we pretend to be.” 

“ But St. James says that we are saved by works.” 

“ Not one hint of such a doctrine in all the Epis- 
tle of James. He is merely exposing the utter in- 
efficiency and absurdity of a pretended faith which 
we can easily detect by the absence of works of 
faithfulness, and he does it grandly. Why, St, 


398 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


James is so impressed with the immense value of 
faith that he even declares the prayer of faith shall 
heal the sick. St. Paul is not speaking of pretended 
faith, but genuine faith, which he declares worketh 
by love. Not the slightest difference of opinion be- 
tiveen the two great writers. They are at one upon 
every Christian doctrine.” 

“ Well, you make some points original to me. 
But, after all, the most unreasonable thing in the 
Bible is the sinless life of Christ which is wholly 
unnecessary, for all we need is precept.” 

“ ‘Do as I tell you and not as I do’ has been 
exploded so many times that I must confess my as- 
tonishment to hear it extolled at this late day. 
Which do you prefer, a dumb man, who always sets 
a good example, or a vicious wretch whose mouth is 
filled with the best precepts ? ” 

“ Well, I did not think of that. Of course, ex- 
ample outweighs jM^ecept.” 

“Then do you not see that Christ’s perfect ex- 
ample is the essential thing in our holy religion ? 
Should we play Hamlet with Hamlet omitted? 
Shall we write a history of America with no allu- 
sion to Washington ? Shall men play being good 
with the only one perfectly good left out ? Do you 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


399 


not see that we cannot preach Jesus unless he is 
Christianity ? that Christianity is a failure without 
His perfect example ? ” 

‘‘ Well, I did not think of that. Now, however, 
I understand what is meant by preaching Jesus. 
It is beautiful indeed. Yet, surely, there is no need 
of his miracles.” 

“No need of example again. Merely boast of 
his power and authority. No need to give an ex- 
ample of what he could do. Why, Elginton, I am 
surprised at such views.” 

“And I am ashamed of them and my senseless 
apostasy.” 

“And I trust my plainness of speech has not been 
offensive.” 

“Offensive! Offensive I Why, Greenfield, our 
great iqfidel lecturer uses more ridicule, sarcasm 
and irony in one evening than you ever did in all 
your life. A sceptic is the last man who can con- 
sistently complain of such things. It is their great 
stock in trade. But, pray, Greenfield, what shall I 
do to retrieve the past?” 

“ Let the dead past bury its dead, but take up 
your cross and follow Jesus. Think, think, think. 
Read the Bible and study it, and you will find it not 


400 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


only the most reasonable of books, biitj as a literary 
production, towering above all others, even as Mt. 
Washington lifts its head above the surrounding 
hills and vales. In Christ behold a three-fold cord — 
his perfect precepts, his matchless power and au- 
thority, and his sinless example. You will see more 
clearly that Christ is Christianity ; that to live the 
life he taught is the grandest of all lives, and though 
living in poverty you are greater than a king. Above 
all do not swallow things with your eyes shut, for 
if you do you will fall into scepticism and hopeless 
infidelity, which are almost invariably the result of 
thoughtless indifference to the calls to holy living.” 

With solemn promises to become a follower of the 
Divine Master, Elginton thanked our hero and de- 
parted. 

Just before Jackson’s ordination as pastor of the 
Mill Village parish, his marriage took place. The 
ceremony was performed by Rev. George Wood- 
bury whose lovely wife presented the bride with a 
pearl necklace ; and being determined, as she said, 
that one so sweet and pure should be married in white, 
Maud gave Ella a white silk dress, in which she 
looked, as her friends declared, like a veritable angel. 

The happy couple took up their residence in Mill 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


401 


Village, and being so near Ardenville, frequent visits 
were exchanged with their true and tried friends. 

Ella seemed as much interested as ever in Jack’s 
stories,” as she termed them, and she sometimes 
asked her husband to relate one of the old ones with 
which she was so delighted in childhood and which 
she still enjoys, but prefers his newer ones, intended 
to teach some wholesome truths. 

Mr. and Mrs. Bright manifest a natural pride in 
their son-in-law, seemingly thinking that no other 
would be quite worthy of claiming the hand of the 
daughter they love so well. 

’Squire Benson has never lost the love and respect 
of the people, for after the faithful performance of 
duty he years ago learned to love it above ease, 
wealth, or station, and as the years go by and his 
venerable head becomes more and more silvered by 
the frosts of the winter of life, his speech and his 
presence are more and more like a benediction to 
all he meets and a rich blessing to himself. 

Arden and Julia are still pursuing the happy and 
even tenor of their former good ways, making the 
world better as time goes by. 

Mr. Woodbury and his charming, but saintly 
wife, are living, as the people express it, ‘‘ in the 


402 


FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES. 


vestibule of heaven.” Bennie is nearly old enough 
to attend school, but his brother, Jackson Green- 
field Woodbury, or Jack, as he is called, is just 
learning to walk, and Maud frequently calls the at- 
tention of her husband to the marvelous ability the 
little fellow displays in the use of his limbs. 

Martin Hayward is pastor of two parishes. Union 
Village and another mission, between two and three 
miles distant. He is performing a good work and 
is blessed in the deed. 

Armstrong went to California, since which time 
we have lost track of him. 

Elginton is studying for the ministry. 

The blessed Principal of the seminary is still the 
honored and revered head of that seat of learning. 
His influence for good cannot be estimated. He 
carries with him the atmosphere of heaven and all 
are blessed who come within his magical influence. 

And now, dear readers, hoping to meet you soon 
in either a sequel to this volume or a story in which 
some of these characters shall act a noble part, in- 
stead of using any word expressive of a long sepa- 
ration, I merely write the far more pleasant word, 


Good-Day. 


** Mr. Earle keeps before him the characteristics of the trtce publisher t 
that all his issues shall have the leaven of right living, and win their 
share of success. A nd tested by either gauge, Mr. Earle’' s purpose has 
not been in vain. On his list are books that have run tip to 30,000, 100,000, 
200,000 copies each .'*' — Christian at Work, New York. 



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ETC 



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PUBLTCATIOI\rS OF yAMES H, EARLE, BOSTON. 59 


Eevelation, The. A Paraphrase in verse and an Exposi- 
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in biography, charming as it is profound. 

The Cincinnati Journal and Messenger thinks the public will 
share in the feeling that Dr. Lorimer “is the fitting one almost 
of all living nien to speak of the life-work of the great preacher, 
and the sources of his power.” 

“ It is by all odds the best book on Spurgeon we have seen.” 
— Asheville {N. C,), Baptist, 

“Suggestive and quickening.” — Public Opinion, Washington^ 
D, C, 

“ It has won a foremost place for its literary ^Boston 

Globe, 

Any Book mailed postpaid on receipt of price. 


ee PUBLICATIONS OF JAMES II EARLE, BOSTON 


Sunday Travel. By Mrs. James H. Earle. Com- 
panion booklet to “ Sunday Newspapers,” and i 
forcible presentation of this growing evil. Pef 
dozen, 20 cts. Per hundred, for general distribu- 
tion, $1.00. 

Tact, Push and Principle. By William M. Thayer, 
author of ‘‘From Log Cabin to White House.” 
i2mo. Silk cloth. Bevelled. With 10 full page 
illustrations. $1.50. 

This is one of the most practical, inspiring books of the cen- 
tury, for readers of every age and class, on the means and 
methods of making the most and ^^st of one’s self and one’s op- 
portunities, and winning success. 

The publisher celebrated the twentieth edition by printing 6000 
copies of that edition. 

** It is a noble book, and furnishes the key to rich mines of 
wealth, both spiritual and material.” — Journal of Education^ Bos- 
ton, 

** W orth its weight in gold.” — Belfast IVitness. 

** It is a book of sound ideas on the conduct of life.” — Indepen- 
dent, N Y, 

** It is a powerful book.” — Journal and Messenger, Cincinnati, 

** Full of sound common sense.” — The Congregationalist, Bos- 
ton, 

Talk (A) with an Inquirer about Ciod’s Idea of Sin 
and Way cf Pardcn. By Miss Frances E. Will- 
ard. 32mo. Per dozen. 25 cts. Per hundred, 

$1.50- 


Any Bock mailed postpaid on receipt 0/ price. 


PUBLICATIONS OF JAMES N EARLE, BOSTON, 77 


Winning Souls. By A. B. Earle, D. D., author of 
‘•Morning Hours,” ‘‘Bringing in Sheaves,” “The 
Human Will,” “Rest of Faith,” “Incidents,” etc., 
etc. Extra large 12 mo volume, over 500 pages, 
with Portrait and other Illustrations. Fine Cloth. 
$1.50. 

Dr. Earle has been requested 
by such men as Dr, Cuyler, Joseph 
Cook, a’^d the like, to give the 
world this volume, embodying the 
experience and study of a life- 
time in the field of soul winning. 
It differs from other works in 
that it not only presents plans 
and methods, but an entire revival 
fiom beginning to end. 

The volume seems sealed of 
God to carry the revival fires far 
and wide. It was born in the 
revival glow, and its pages are 
stamped with the Spirit’s power; 
and while it makes clear and 
practical the way to soccess in 
reaching men, it at thesame time 

has, in the revival sermons that are reproduced, such truth as 
will carry conviction to the unsaved, and comfort to the child of 
God. 

*‘One of the very best books in our library ,” — Atlanta {Ga,) 
Presbyterian, 

‘‘We have read it with the greatest interest .” — George C, Lari- 
mer, D, D, 

“A most happy conception, most happily illustrated by one of 
the most successful winners of souls in history,” — F, M, Ellis, D.D, 

“It will help spread the revival fires .” — Golden Rule, Boston, 

“Everybody ought to read this book, and it ought to be on 
the shelf of every preacher .” — Central Baptist, St, Louis* 



Any Book mailed postpaid on receipt of price. 


78 PUBLICATIONS OF JAMES H. EARLE, BOSTON. 


What I Know About Books, and How to Use iuem. 

By George C. Lorimer, D. D., Minis er at the 
Temple. With Introduction by William A. Law- 
rence, D. D. Elegant i6mo. Ornamental cover. 
Cloth. Colored edges. 7 5 cents. 

The growing lists of books and papers, along with the growth 
of the ‘‘Chautauqua Movement,” ‘‘Higher Education,” “Unwer- 
sity Extension,” and other methods of popular intellectual devel- 
opment, create an increasing need of wise helps in the selection 
and use of books. 

To meet this condition of things, perhaps few scholars of 
to-day are more competent than the author of this volume. 
His foremost place among thinkers and scholars, and his 
thorough mastery of books and topics, make him an authority. 
In this volume, with rare skill, he not only suggests the books 
to be read, but how to get the most and best from the reading. 
A specially happy feature is the story of his own habit of read- 
ing. It is a book particularly desirable for young men and 
women, and invaluable in every home, where the importance of 
a wise choice of books cannot be over-estimated. 

Wayside Poems. By Rev. J. Byington Smith, D. D., 
author of ^‘Bible Teachings from Nature.’’ Elegant 
Illustrated Square 16 mo. 75 cents. 

The charm of Dr. Smith in his poetic contributions to the 
papers, has long been recognized, and in yielding to the wish for 
their publication in this delightful volume, the circle of his read- 
ers and admirers is sure to be enlarged. 

Woman’s Opportunity and Obligation. By George C. 
Lorimer, D. D. Octavo. 10 cents. 


Any Book mailed postpaid on receipt of price. 



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